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Three Hornets Who Can Replace Kemba Walker’s Production in 2019

By Luke Tucker

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 22: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during their game at Spectrum Center on February 22, 2019 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, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 22: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards during their game at Spectrum Center on February 22, 2019 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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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Terry Rozier, Guard

Perhaps the Hornet with the most pressure to replace Walker’s production is Terry Rozier. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics, Rozier was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal in July. The 25-year-old was signed to a 3-year, $56.7 million deal to replace Walker. Being the second-highest paid player on the team, as well as replacing the franchise’s all-time leading scorer means that fans will surely have high expectations for the young point guard.

Over the first four years of his career, Rozier has averaged 7.7 points per game to go along with 2.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. His best season came during the 2017-2018 campaign in which the Celtics were without All-NBA guard, Kyrie Irving. He averaged 11.3 points per game that season, and was a key component of Boston’s Eastern Conference Finals run. Despite his impressive play that year, he wasn’t a regular starter. In fact, he started only 16 games in 2017-2018, and has started only 30 of 272 career games. Throughout his career, he has averaged only 20 minutes per game. It should be interesting to see how he responds to becoming a full-time starter while with the Hornets.

Despite being primarily a role player for the majority of his career, Rozier has never been bashful to shoot the ball when he’s on the floor. However, he hasn’t always been an accurate shooter. Rozier is a career 38% shooter and has never made more than 38.1% of his three-pointers in a season. Even inside the arc he hasn’t been a great shooter. The Hornets know that Rozier is going to get his share of shots, and fortunately for them, he shoots several percentage points higher when he starts.

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