3 Most valuable Hornets players of the preseason so far
By Orel Dizon
Tre Mann
In 2021, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Tre Mann with the 18th overall pick, a move that panned out well for both parties because the team found a diamond in the rough.
After playing significant minutes and being a part-time starter during his rookie campaign, he got slowly eased out of the Thunder's rotation. The 2023-24 season saw him play in just 9.2 minutes per game in an OKC uniform before a fateful trade to the Charlotte Hornets gave him an opportunity to strut his stuff. He then averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per contest in 28 starts for the Hornets.
Mann has picked up where he left off in the preseason. Against the New York Knicks on Sunday, he scored 15 off the bench on 6-for-8 shooting while also logging four assists and a couple of defensive stats.
He followed that up with a 14-point performance against the Miami Heat, drawing comparisons to legendary shooting guard Allen Iverson because of his shifty ball-handling, creative finishes, and personal style and fashion.
The Hornets may have found themselves a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year contender, who also has the potential to one day challenge for a starting spot if he can improve his defense and prove to be a great fit with the franchise's cornerstones.