Ranking the Hornets' options for their 5th starting spot

2. Grant Williams

A midseason addition last season, Grant Williams' future with the Charlotte Hornets remains murky. There is the possibility of seeing him on a new team by the 2025 trade deadline because his contract makes him an attractive trade piece. Any struggles he faces could also give him the boot in Charlotte.

On the one hand, Williams can also prove to be a crucial piece for the Hornets, given his ability to shoot decently from long range (37.7% career 3-point field-goal percentage), defend multiple positions, and be the Hornets' enforcer.

An underrated aspect of his game also emerged after his arrival in Mint City: his playmaking skills. In Williams' 29 appearances in a Hornets uniform, he dished out 3.2 assists per contest — more than double his career number.

Of course, the squad having a revolving door of players in the lineup due to injuries factored into the improvement. Still, the forward's potential to be an all-around guy for the team looms.

A question entering training camp is whether Williams will help the Hornets as a starter or off the bench. His leadership and experience suiting up for contenders could give him an advantage in the coaching staff's decision-making process. However, those qualities might actually make the incoming six-year veteran more valuable as a reserve.