With Kemba Walker set to miss at least six weeks after having knee surgery, the Charlotte Hornets‘ backcourt has taken a major hit.
Currently, the Hornets are clinging to a half-game lead for the final spot in the playoffs with about five or six other teams limping to the end of the season with them. Just about any other year, a playoff appearance would be merely a dream, but this season it may be a reality in Charlotte strictly by default.
In the past few days, I’ve been vocally against a push for the playoffs, as a playoff battle with the Atlanta Hawks is looking about as close to an automatic out as it gets. That being said, the Hornets are only a game and half from the seventh seed and five games back of the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently occupy the sixth seed.
As it stands now, the sixth and seventh seeds would be matched up with the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors, respectively. Those two teams aren’t nearly as daunting as the aforementioned Hawks. While the Hornets have yet to face the Wizards, they’ve already beaten the Raptors (granted, they beat the Hawks early in the season as well).
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The point here is that at first glance, it seems foolish to make a move towards the playoffs. However, upon further inspection, it may not be so crazy. If the Hornets could sneak out a win in the first round, that could go a long way in terms of momentum for the ensuing matchups.
As Charlotte’s roster stands right now, there isn’t even a chance to make it up to the sixth seed. Currently, Gary Neal is the primary backup point guard until Jannero Pargo returns from injury.
Since the calendar switched to 2015, Gary Neal has shot 30 percent from the field and an absolutely cringe-worthy 19 percent from three-point range. In case you’re unfamiliar with the game of basketball, that’s really, really bad.
For the Hornets to have a chance a playoff run (which, let’s be honest, means at least getting to the seventh seed), they will have to add a point guard to back up Brian Roberts in Kemba’s absence.
One option who is publicly available is Minnesota Timberwolves point guard, Mo Williams.
It is being rumored that the Heat, Clippers, and Cavaliers have expressed interest in the former Alabama guard, and the Timberwolves are open to a deal — at the right price.
As of right now, we’re not exactly sure what that price is, but one thing we do know is that Minnesota wants a draft pick. Whether that’s a first- or second-round pick remains to be seen. As the trade deadline approaches, Minnesota’s price may fall.
While Williams isn’t going to instantly turn a team into a title contender, he would provide much, much needed depth for the Charlotte Hornets. Let’s not forget, he’s the second-most recent player to have a 50-point game, so he has the ability to score.
The biggest advantage that Williams would bring is his versatility. He has experience playing the shooting guard position, so when Kemba Walker returns, Williams would still be useful to the rotation. He would especially be useful if someone, say … Lance Stephenson, were to find himself shipped off to another team.
Before any roster move like this can happen, the Hornets need to make a decision. Head coach Steve Clifford has said the team will wait and evaluate the situation before deciding to make a roster move or not. Given that the trade deadline is a little over two weeks away (Feb. 19), that evaluation process will need to happen quickly.
If the Charlotte Hornets are going to make a push for the playoffs, Mo Williams may be a necessary (and unlikely) piece.