Charlotte Hornets: Lineup locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Locks: LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Bismack Biyombo, Miles Bridges

LaMelo Ball

As seen in just a few games of NBA action, LaMelo Ball is a true floor general who will help the Hornets. Ball is the newest addition to the Hornets starting lineup that you have probably been hearing a lot about, and this is why they drafted him.

LaMelo is a future star, and it is time to shine in Charlotte. He will have a chance to do that with a franchise owned by the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan, and one that is currently surrounded by some of the best talent the professional level can offer. Sounds like LaMelo’s kind of setting.

Now, that we’ve gotten how good of a fit he is going to be in Charlotte out of the way, let me explain how he is possibly going to play for the Hornets in his first season.

Ball already has a lot of talent and experience. He can combine these two skills to make himself a true point guard for the Hornets and overall superstar. Ball can handle the ball, pass, and score. He also likes to do all of these with a little flash, so he is going to provide a remarkable, unique game for the Hornets every night.

What LaMelo is going to bring to the Hornets, most importantly, is superstar leadership. Ball is going to take the Hornets, his franchise, to the next level, and with the help of other options playing their best game like Terry Rozier, Malik Monk and Devonte’ Graham, the Hornets may land themselves a playoff spot. It’s going to take a while and it won’t be easy at all, but Ball will make things quicker and easier.

In his first official game, the star went scoreless, and he did this also in the Hornets’ first preseason game. He’s had a few games in the preseason that saw likable things from a rookie in terms of rebounding and assists, but the Hornets have to take things slowly and they will figure it out. LaMelo is like a baby, which he is used to, as he is the baby of his basketball family. He is the Hornets’ greatest asset. And the Hornets should treat him as such.

Gordon Hayward

Speaking of superstar leadership, Gordon Hayward comes to mind for the Hornets. He is a great addition to the Hornets roster, and the Hornets were smart in picking him up from the dust bowl that is Boston. Hayward has found a new home where he is going to hopefully find a fresh game and play it void of injuries.

Hayward’s NBA career so far has been filled with unfortunate injuries and lackluster performances because of it. In terms of Hayward’s skill and talent, injuries haven’t completely wiped out what he can do. At 6’8″, Hayward has likable size and skills, which include shooting and ballhandling. He is an offensive star, and this is going to take him a long way with teams in spite of injuries.

If the Hornets can do all they can to keep Hayward healthy, recognize his leadership and bring out the best of his abilities, Hayward is going to be a great lock for the starting lineup alongside Ball. Along with Ball and the other starters, Hayward gives the Hornets a complete and serious lineup with an offensive spark able to compete against the talent around the league.

P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is a 6’7″ power forward, and this is going to be good for the Hornets. Washington plays like a big forward: he plays long and stretches the floor, and his gift on offense is another lift for Charlotte. Washington is in his second season with the Hornets this year, and after averaging 12.2 points in 30.0 minutes a night after his rookie season, P.J. is likely to contribute more to Charlotte this year

Figuring out PJ Washington’s role with so many options is going to be a big but good decision because of Washington’s overlapping talent and abilities with other talents on the roster. Still, in figuring that out, they will have to play him big time and see exactly what he should do. If you have been watching Hornets games, Hornets fans especially know P.J. Washington and he is for sure a lock as a starter and will add to the Hornets in big ways that will surpass expectations for his position.

Having a player like P.J. will help the Hornets find their identity and they will strengthen it through players with his athleticism and professionalism.

Bismack Biyombo

Bismack Biyombo is the 6’8″ center who is absolutely dominant down below. The best thing about Biyombo is that he’s only 29-years-old, so he’s young and still fresh. The young center has a lot to learn and wants to continue to learn and he will.

A frontcourt combination consisting of Washington and Biyombo is going to give the Hornets the right edge to cap off their roster. While others can score and run the offense, Biyombo will cap all of this off with a defensive presence as well. His presence in the paint as a big is a great asset to have, and how Biyombo fits in and uses his skills in the lineup is going to be important.

At a solid 255 lbs, Bismack Biyombo is perfect for the Hornets at their frontcourt. There are other destinations for a traditional big with his abilities, such as his former Raptors and Magic teams where he saw minutes off the bench, but the fact that his original draft team, the Hornets, have him back says a lot. It says that Biyombo is ready to play and grow and can most importantly help a team like this in a number of ways.

Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges is without a doubt a lock for the new Hornets. With the addition of Hayward and now LaMelo Ball, it may be perceived that Bridges should come off the bench, but he actually is more of a fit into the starting lineup if he can play shooting guard and Hayward small forward. Bridges is 6’6″ and can posterize you and go up for a 3-point shot. It’s a unique combination of skills for the Hornets offense, and the starting lineup is where he belongs.

Bridges belongs next to Washington, who’s only 6’7″ himself, but P.J. is also lengthier, and this makes way for players like Bridges to play their game. In his third year, Bridges can unveil the true potential of the Hornets and it seems like a lot, but it’s a lot for good reason.

The 6’6″ wing proved himself worthy in the 2020 Rising Stars Game where he posted 20 points and won MVP honors. Miles Bridges is a rising star and he is a part of a Hornets roster that could use him either in the lineup or off the bench, but they’d be smart putting him in as a starter.

Bridges and his teammate P.J. are reminiscent of Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter and what they are to their franchises and how they play their positions. McGrady and Carter played together on the same team for a short time, also, so never mind skills running into those of teammates. A talent like Bridges should be picked up and put to use right away, while the others find their roles and hot spots and help surround him.