Charlotte Hornets: 5 takeaways from 2018 NBA Summer League

By Luke Askew | Jul 16, 2018

DENVER, CO - JULY 6: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Is Willy Hernangomez going to be the starting center?

Willy Hernangomez had an incredible Summer League. The 6’11” center averaged 18.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game for Charlotte’s Summer League squad. Hernangomez is now going to task the coaching staff with a tough decision. Should he be the starting center on night one?

Hernangomez is still a bit of a project, but he can really play on offense. He finishes around the basket, rebounds the ball and can even space the floor.

Willy Hernangomez is in the best shape of his career and looks like he worked hard on his game this summer. Someone give this kid some minutes. pic.twitter.com/wqAbOdV3yS
— Drew Austin ⚔️🐎🏀🦧🖼⚔️ (@DrewAustin) July 9, 2018

Trading Dwight Howard opened up the frontcourt for the Hornets. As of right now, the Hornets’ centers are Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, Willy Hernangomez and sort of Frank Kaminsky (he’s more of a 4 in my opinion).

I would expect Zeller to be the starter on night one. He’s consistent and you know what you’re going to get with him. However, for a team that needs upside, Hernangomez could play his way into the starting lineup at some point this season.

It’s possible that if he has a nice preseason with the Hornets, Hernangomez could be a starter sooner rather than later.

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