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Charlotte Hornets: 2017-18 NBA season preview

By Jen Julie Smith

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 03: Hugo the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 3, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 03: Hugo the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 3, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images /

Roster

Dwayne Bacon, SG/SF
Nicolas Batum, SG
Michael Carter-Williams, PG
Treveon Graham, SG
Dwight Howard, C
Frank Kaminsky, C
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF/PF
Jeremy Lamb, SG
Mangok Mathiang, C
Malik Monk, SG
Johnny O’Bryant, C
Marcus Paige, PG
Julyan Stone, PG
Kemba Walker, PG
Marvin Williams, PF
Cody Zeller, PF/C

Offseason Additions

Dwight Howard (traded from Atlanta Hawks),  Michael Carter Williams (free agency, Chicago Bulls), Malik Monk (No. 11 overall pick, Kentucky), Dwayne Bacon (No. 40 overall pick, Florida State), Julyan Stone (free agency), Marcus Paige (two-way contract), Mangok Mathiang (two-way contract)

Offseason Departures

Miles Plumlee (traded to Atlanta Hawks), Marco Belinelli (traded to Atlanta), Briante Weber (waived), Christian Wood (declined team option), Ramon Sessions (free agency, New York Knicks)

Quick Thoughts

On Sept. 8, 2017, the Hornets held a Media Luncheon. Coach Steve Clifford informed the press that:

"“Michael Carter-Williams isn’t cleared to work out with teammates on court, and it’s not a given Carter-Williams will recover in time to be available for the Hornets’ season opener Oct. 18 at the Detroit Pistons. “Carter-Williams, who has previously missed games with left knee pain, had Platelet-Rich Plasma treatments on the patella tendons in both knees.”"

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Clifford isn’t certain when Carter-Williams will be “cleared for full basketball activity.”  Although Julyan Stone is MCW’s backup, Clifford believes Malik Monk could see some run at the point.

"“Carter-Williams’ injury could also mean more minutes for first-round rookie Malik Monk to experiment at point guard in the preseason. Monk’s position in his one season at Kentucky was shooting guard, but Clifford would like to explore whether the 6-3 Monk has the skills to handle some point.”"

One could argue that it’s too early in the season to experiment with rotations. Yet, trying something different could have a positive outcome. It would allow the Hornets to see which position’s best-suited to take advantage of their star rookie’s talent.

However, according to Bonnell, the Hornets haven’t seen Malik “take a shot.”

"“The left ankle sprain Monk suffered while readying for pre-draft workouts cost him summer league in July and much of a rookie’s normal off-season preparation. That makes him a bit of a mystery heading into next week’s training camp at Spectrum Center.”"

Other than that, the Hornets’ 2017-18 roster is largely the same, with the exception of Dwight Howard signing on to bolster the middle as the anchor of Clifford’s defense.

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