NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) in a time out during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Nets win 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets

How Do The Hornets Fare Without MKG?

With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, the timeline for his return has been set at six months — right around April, when the playoffs begin. There’s just one problem: even if MKG is back and 100 percent by that time, the Charlotte Hornets are going to have a hard time earning a postseason berth without him for the season.

By trading for Nicolas Batum over the summer, Charlotte unknowingly provided themselves some insurance on the wing, and Steve Clifford has enough versatility on his bench to try playing with different lineups. The Hornets are a perfect 6-0 in preseason play thus far, with Jeremy Lin looking like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. So far, everything looks peachy.

But preseason is preseason, and without MKG’s stifling wing defense, the Hornets will need major contributions from unproven players like Jeremy Lamb, Cody Zeller, P.J. Hairston and Frank Kaminsky, not to mention bounce-back seasons for Lin, Batum and Spencer Hawes. Right now, it feels like a lot to ask for with the playoff field in the East having grown stronger.

Next: Chicago Bulls