NBA: Ranking the teams in the Southeast Division for 2017-18

3. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets have the ability to make some real noise in the Southeast this season.

They kicked the off the summer with a bang, acquiring big man Dwight Howard from the tanking Hawks. Howard, who is about to play for his third team in the division, is not nearly the intimidating force he once was in Orlando. However, he’s still an effective player as he averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 boards last season.

Rich Cho and company carried the momentum into the draft when they selected the dynamic scorer Malik Monk with the 11th pick. Monk slipped a bit to them and they were happy to snatch him up.

Head coach Steve Clifford recently said Monk has a significant ankle injury. However, when he’s healthy, he will create a nice 1-2 backcourt scoring punch with Kemba Walker.

Michael Carter-Williams was the only other player of note brought in this offseason. He signed a one-year deal and will serve as the primary backup at the point. This is a nice move as he provides some much-needed height and defensive toughness to the backcourt. A lot can be said about his offensive ability, but there’s no denying how hard he plays on every possession.

Overall, Charlotte has a nice mix of players who are young, in their prime and veterans of the game. Don’t be surprised if they can put everything together for a month or so and really make a strong push in the division. They will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Southeast this year.