4 players who need to step up for the Charlotte Hornets this season

On the transaction front, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the Charlotte Hornets. The team didn’t make any splashy free-agency transactions and made the most obvious pick in the draft by adding center Mark Williams to the rotation. Unfortunately for the organization, all of its noise came from things that had nothing to do with basketball.

Center Montrezl Harrell, who was acquired from the Washington Wizards near the 2022 trade deadline, got caught with several vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana while driving in Kentucky. Previously facing a  felony drug trafficking charge, Harrell’s offense has been downgraded to a misdemeanor. However, it remains unclear what his next steps are both legally and professionally.

For as unfortunate as this was, it’s a nonviolent offense that could clear up in the blink of an eye. The same can’t be said for the biggest plot twist of the Charlotte Hornets’ offseason.

Charlotte Hornets F Miles Bridges is accused of violent, dishonorable crimes.

Following the best season of his professional career, Miles Bridges was charged with three felony offenses in a sinister domestic violence case that claims he beat his girlfriend in front of their children in June 2022. As announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, the charges include “one felony count of injuring a child’s parent and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.” ESPN reported that he pleaded not guilty to all three of the charges.

Bridges’ partner, Mychelle Johnson, took to social media in wake of the alleged attack to show her battered and bruised head including marks along her face and neck. She stated the following in her since-deleted Instagram post:

“I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won’t allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I’m not. I won’t allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person.”

If these allegations are proven true, Bridges has lost his place on this team. Unlike other professional sports leagues in North America, the NBA’s tolerance for violent offenses is extremely low and many of its fans feel the same way. He would be condemned and likely face an indefinite suspension — effectively costing himself a payday in the $100M+ range this offseason.

From a raw, human perspective, this is a truly unfortunate and avoidable situation. No family should have to endure the emotional trauma of such actions. It’s inexcusable for a man to lay his hands on a woman, but with children involved? It’s horrifying.

From a basketball perspective,  which pales in comparison to the real-world ramifications, this is an unexpected setback that seriously damages the rebuilding in Charlotte. The free agency market has dried up and the Hornets are lacking the assets needed to make compelling trade offers. For the time being, the Hornets need players currently on the roster to keep the ship afloat.

1. Gordon Hayward needs to step up for the Charlotte Hornets.

These first two seasons of Gordon Hayward’s Charlotte Hornets career have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but not because of his performance. He’s been a net positive for a streaky team, scoring 17.6 points per game while shooting above 40% from 3-point land. Underrated from the onset of his career, Hayward impacts the game with unselfish, fundamental passing and activity on the glass.

The downfall, however, has been the same issue plaguing his career since departing from Utah: health. Hayward has not played more than 50 games in either of his seasons with Charlotte and in turn, his role has been downgraded.

That’s about to change with Bridges removed from the rotation as more ball-handling opportunities and field goal attempts open up for the 32-year-old. Despite only making the game one time in his career, Hayward is being paid like an All-Star and now, he’ll need to perform like one if the Hornets are to reach the postseason.

Hayward scored 20 or more points 15 times last season, but only made 10 or more field goals six times. His volume is sure to increase, so this is Hayward’s chance to show that he’s still the player Charlotte signed him to be in the 2020 offseason.

2. Jalen McDaniels needs to step up for the Charlotte Hornets

While a proven commodity like Hayward is hoping to recapture some former glory, 6-foot-9 forward Jalen McDaniels aims to prove he belongs. The 24-year-old hasn’t been given much opportunity to this point in his young career. In fact, his minutes per game average was the lowest it’s ever been at 16.3 in the 2021-22 season. But with major gaps in the lineup and others having to fulfill key positions, he may finally have his chance.

McDaniels’ strongest growth has been in his 3-point shot. He nailed 38% of 108 3-point attempts last season including an impressive 41.5% on triples from above the break. He’s learning to be more effective off the ball, which is hugely important for a role player in a lineup with dominant guards and wings creating much of the team’s offense.

Up to this point, McDaniels has been an energetic rebounder who competes for loose balls and has a great second hop to fight for offensive boards. He’s also a versatile defender because of his intriguing mobility and aptitude for contesting shots both on the perimeter and in the paint, where he earned an A- rim protection grade from Basketball Index.

Serious minutes were vacated at the forward positions, just in time for McDaniels to prove his value ahead of unrestricted free agency next summer.

3. P.J. Washington needs to step up for the Charlotte Hornets

The most likely candidate for an expanded role is P.J. Washington, who like McDaniels, has an immense financial incentive to take a step in his fourth season. A 6-foot-7 stretch forward with a stout frame and profound quickness for his position, Washington’s output has largely been the same through three NBA seasons.

He’s an effective floor spacer and 3-point shooter who is at his best when trailing into a spot-up jumper or nailing triples off the pick-and-pop. The former lottery pick is also able to put his back to the basket and muscle his way into a baby hook or floater outside of the restricted area. To this point, Washington has been a disappointing finisher at the rim. As a consolation, he fights for his own misses and sometimes connects on the second shot, but his career would look a lot different if Washington started hitting those layups on the first attempt.

There are some quirks to Washington’s game that make him continually exciting at just 24. Sneakily, Washington is a talented passer who finds teammates rotating around the perimeter through small windows from the high or low posts. Boasting a near 7-foot-3 wingspan, Washington is an effective and mobile defender who graded out as an A- or better in post defense, overall rim protection, and both blocks and steals per 75 possessions. It’s also worth noting that he was second on the team in on/off differential per 100 possessions.

On both sides of the floor, Washington’s skills are needed more than ever. If it all works out, he’s going to earn a hefty contract — whether it’s from the Hornets or another team entirely.

4. Kelly Oubre Jr. needs to step up for the Charlotte Hornets

Now 26 years old, Kelly Oubre Jr. has seen all sorts of situations across the NBA. He was an exciting young talent on the Wizards, a core contributor for the Phoenix Suns, a role player alongside Stephen Curry and most recently, a volume shooter and sixth man for the Hornets. If there’s one thing Oubre can do in this league, it’s adapt to his current situation.

This is exactly what Charlotte will need from the eighth-year forward, who must channel more of his Suns iteration than his Golden State self. Never much for efficiency, Oubre can score the basketball from across the court floor while defending multiple positions and switching as needed. He’s an excellent rebounder and shouldn’t turn the ball over too much unless asked to facilitate plays, which is far from his strong suit.

One thing that’s certain is Oubre will draw the attention of defenders. He’s a threat to cut off the ball or relocate for a 3-point attempt, which he’s confident to take quickly once the rock touches his fingertips. Encouragingly, Oubre had the most efficient shooting season of his career by effective field goal percentage and 2-point percentage while taking a career-high 553 triples.

Expect that volume to stay high with Oubre having a chance to move into the starting lineup. Even if that’s not the case, he’s going to be utilized quite frequently given the team’s circumstances.