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

Fringe: Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Malik Monk, Cody Zeller, Jalen McDaniels

Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier’s 42 career-high points on opening night may seem overly impressive, but it’s exactly the impression Charlotte needs and Rozier has been doing that for the Hornets since arriving in a trade via the Boston Celtics.

Rozier shines at the right moment and in the right way for the Hornets, and this is what makes him a great fringe option this season. He is a good backup point guard. At 6’1″ with an impressive ability to score, this can be a boost off the bench in the Hornets’ efforts to have a solid second unit.

Rozier continues to play perfectly for the Hornets because he has unrefined, raw skills, yet he also plays at a high level which makes him a great fit. Rozier will continue to be a large part of the Charlotte organization, playing behind Ball and alongside his fellow guards.

If the young guard can switch gears and be more of a leader in his point guard duties, he will be the top fringe option as a backup point guard to Ball in the second unit. Rozier can run it and score in it, making sure that the Hornets are a great team to play for and against.

Devonte’ Graham

Like Rozier, Devonte’ Graham is great as a fringe option this year, and he is also a point guard. Together, they make up a remarkable backcourt duo that could see some minutes together that would be beneficial to the Hornets.

Rozier and Graham saw the floor as a backcourt duo last season, and many thought this duo was the thing for the Hornets. It still is, and that “it” factor is still there for both Graham and Rozier. While Rozier takes on heavy tasks in scoring, Graham is a secondary scorer also who can make plays for his teammates. Graham is a nice cool down from Rozier’s scoring rampages, and he is also able to pick up where he left off.

While Graham and Rozier are both fringe options this year and it’s hard to tell if either of them should be favored, it’s certain that both can come in and assist with starters’ duties. The second unit for the Hornets is intact with these two guards, as each delivers on the scoring end and has a desire to compete, which is shown through their stats and minutes. Again, it’s hard to see how having two young guards with the same skills can be manageable with all of the other talent on the Hornets, but they did it last season.

As fringe this year with the addition of Ball and Hayward, and as long as they are options, that is what counts. Graham, like Rozier, can learn to play his role and see how he himself best fits into this new lineup in the guard position. Managing the two will be easy considering all of what they bring to the game. They’ll likely have to take a backseat on leading the scoring charge, but that doesn’t mean that either of them should stop their motor.

Malik Monk

Malik Monk is in the picture also for the Hornets as a  6’3″ guard with impeccable passing ability and defense. Monk is an interesting fringe option for the Hornets because he could be a lock as projected last year. Monk, alongside Rozier, Graham, Bridges, and Washington were creating their own lineup, and it was working.

The other guard then was Kobi Simmons. Monk is the only guard, outside of Graham and Rozier’s scoring efforts, who could put the ball on the floor and do other things. The point guard was sort of a fringe last season with the three of them, but this year for sure he was going to move up to be a lock.

He can still potentially be that, but he is for sure a fringe off the bench in either the point or shooting guard position. With so many options, a player like Monk will have to adjust with the whole team, but it’s still good to have his presence on the team. He is there mainly to assist Ball now and act as a liaison between all of the other guards and bigs, which he is good at as a ball-handler, playmaker and defender.

Cody Zeller

The Hornets will get a bail-out with their fringe options in Cody Zeller. With Biyombo being the only certain center, Zeller has an easy role in the frontcourt behind Biyombo.

Zeller also gives the Hornets a big break by the way he plays and runs the floor. He can score in the post and play defense. The seven-footer often blocks shots and finishes in transition. Charlotte is going to benefit by keeping Zeller exactly as he is instead of making drastic decisions on his role. Because of the new additions, this is even better for Zeller because the host of guards he is surrounded by can kick it to him with no problem and he along with Biyombo will have to figure out what to do with it.

Jalen McDaniels

The road of the frontcourt in Charlotte leads me to Jalen McDaniels, who is 6’10”, 22 years old and was drafted last year by the Hornets. McDaniels’ role is obviously to add frontcourt depth and he does just that. The role of the big this year could see an increase, and this is why he’s a fringe option.

Biyombo and Washington are higher on the list as starters, but this could change because of players like Jalen McDaniels. Why not give the young big man the start alongside LaMelo, Miles, and whoever else could be thrown in there? It’s still early, and this is also why he’s a fringe option.

McDaniels is at his best coming off the bench for now in replace of Washington or Biyombo. Like Zeller, he should be played and given the minutes. How this is all managed – his role, his minutes and his playing style in the frontcourt – is the big discussion as the season progresses. One thing is for sure: Jalen McDaniels is another potential great option for the Hornets, and he could very easily acclimate himself alongside the core of Biyombo, Washington, Bridges, Hayward and Ball.