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Charlotte Hornets: Best Case Scenarios For 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) is congratulated by guard Nicolas Batum (5) after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Charlotte won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) is congratulated by guard Nicolas Batum (5) after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Charlotte won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Consistent Production Across The Lineup

Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky, Cody Zeller and Jeremy Lamb all played key roles in the team’s success last season as well.

Batum’s averages of 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game was good enough to earn a five-year, $120 million deal this summer. His versatility again next season will prove to be worth every penny.

As stated before, Williams had a very effective season fulfilling the stretch-4 role. He shot a career-high .402 from three and had an effective field goal percentage of .504. Williams’ play allows Kaminsky to play a smaller role off the bench.

Kaminsky is a proven shooter when his feet are set, but making plays off the dribble and his defense have been huge question marks. As he heads into his second season in the NBA, progressions in this area would be great to see and ultimately earn him more time on the floor.

During the offseason, the Hornets signed point guard Ramon Sessions and shooting guard Marco Belinelli, two veterans who understand their role coming off the bench and have a knack for putting the ball in the basket.

Sessions averaged 9.9 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game backing up John Wall in Washington while Belinelli averaged 10.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 24.6 minutes as a reserve in Sacramento.

The two don’t completely replace Lin and Lee’s production, but they should fare just fine in Steve Clifford’s offense in the minutes they play.

They also brought in Roy Hibbert on a one-year $5 million deal. Hibbert has been disappointing ever since being a huge piece to the puzzle for Indiana during their playoff run in 2014-15.

His presence that season hinted to him becoming a dominant force especially defensively in comparison to a Dwight Howard.

Since then, it’s gone the complete opposite. In today’s game with so many athletic centers, he simply can’t keep up on defense and struggles to get anything going offensively.

If Hibbert can at least show glimpses of what he was during the end of his time in Indiana, he’d have value in limited minutes next season.

Next: How Far Can They Go?

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