Charlotte Hornets
The NBA trade deadline was expected to be a silent one for the Charlotte Hornets, but shortly after 2:00 PM on Thursday, Shams Charania reported that the team was acquiring Montrezl Harrell from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Ish Smith, Vernon Carey Jr. and a top protected 2023 second round pick. While this may not be the rim protecting big that that Hornets have been in search, this could be the energy boost on the inside that this Hornet team is needing, especially on the offensive end where this team has been struggling.
The Hornets have hit a rough patch over the two and a half weeks, losing their last five games and seven of their last nine overall. With that, the Hornets have fallen to 9th place in the Eastern Conference after spending a majority of the season inside of the top six in the conference. However, the Hornets do still remain above .500 and are still closer to 6th place in the conference than they are to the 11th spot.
The Hornets are one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA, as they feature the best offense in the league. One of the reasons is the development of Miles Bridges, who in his fourth season, is the front runner for the NBA Most Improved Player, and is arguably the best game in-game dunker in the NBA. With his improved play, comes the discussion of his contract, as his option wasn't picked up, after declining a four-year, $60 million dollar extension over the summer. Bridges is a running mate of LaMelo Ball, and is clearly a core member of the Hornets future, as they try to build a contender in the Eastern Conference. Michael Jordan has long said that he's not willing to spend over the cap unless the team is a championship contender, which as of today, the Hornets aren't. That has raised the concern, that Miles may walk in free agency this summer. Rod Boone, beat writer for the Hornets for the Charlotte Observer, joined the Nick Wilson show to discuss that, and had this to say:
The Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets joined Kyle Bailey on Friday’s edition of the Clubhouse as he discussed what has been behind the recent uptick for the Hornets, and the growth of players like Miles Bridges. Kyle first started with a preview of the Hornets game against the Thunder and what they need to […]
Charlotte is the 5th youngest team in the NBA, yet they are four games above .500 and appeared primed for a return to the NBA postseason this spring. Their record has to do with being a good home team, head coach James Borrego being vastly underrated, the continued development of LaMelo Ball, the steady play of veterans, and the emergence of Miles Bridges. Bridges has elevated his game this season and is the front-runner to be the NBA's Most Improved Player this season. He's having this type of season, after not being extended over the summer, as he turned down a four-year, $60 million deal reportedly offered by Charlotte. After the type of season he's having, it is safe to say the asking price is going to be much higher this July. In the NBA, teams that usually win championships, or are consistent contenders, are compromised of three All-Star level players, that carry the team night in, night out. It appears Charlotte has one piece of the puzzle in budding superstar LaMelo Ball, but the other two, remain a question, as Charlotte tries to be a competitor, despite being a small market team. Hornets beat reporter for The Charlotte Observer, Rod Boone, joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today, and had this to say about Miles Bridges being a part of a Hornets big 3:
The Hornets suffered one of, if not their most disappointing loss of the season on Friday to the Orlando Magic in Charlotte, but they had an opportunity to get things back on track against a New York Knicks team that appeared to be getting themselves together after a rather disappointing start. They did just that with a dominant 97-87 win which was led by a career performance from Miles Bridges, who dropped 38 points on 14-20 shooting, and another nice afternoon from Terry Rozier, who finished with 22 points of his own.
Hornets legend turned color analyst for the Hornets on Bally Sports Southeast Dell Curry joined Kyle Bailey on Friday’s edition of the Clubhouse as he looks at the biggest factors behind the Hornets recent success and the massive improvement on the defensive end. The first topic broached with Dell was the Hornets heading into their […]
The NBA Insider for Meadowlark Media and host of the Habershow joined Kyle Bailey on Wednesday’s edition of the Clubhouse as he reacted to the Hornets winning 2 straight games against the Bucks, and what the Hornets should do at the deadline. Tom started things off by looking at the Hornets big 2 wins in […]
The President of Basketball Operations and GM of the Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak joined Kyle Bailey on Thursday’s edition of the Clubhouse as he looked at the current state of the Hornets, and how he could be preparing for the Trade Deadline next month. Kyle first started the interview by getting Mitch’s overall assessment of […]
The Hornets had no issues with the Huston Rockets on Monday, disposing of them 123-99 in what was their largest margin of victory of the season. Terry Rozier led the way for team in the win, dropping 27 points on 10-17 shooting from the field and 7-12 from beyond the arc, but the bench production led by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nick Richards was once again a big part of the success in this one.