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Three takeaways from the Charlotte Hornets preseason

By Luke Tucker

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Terry Rozier III #3 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on October 09, 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 - OCTOBER 09: Terry Rozier III #3 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on October 09, 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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The Guard Situation is Going to be Fine

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

By far the Hornets’ biggest offseason blow was the loss of its All-Star point guard, Kemba Walker. Walker was not only a fan-favorite and face of the franchise, he also had become the best player in team history. To make matters worse, the Hornets lost their second-leading scorer from last year as well in Jeremy Lamb. In only a year’s time, Charlotte’s guard situation is drastically different heading into this season.

With Walker and Lamb elsewhere, by far the player with the most pressure to perform this season is Terry Rozier. The Hornets were widely criticized for the signing of Rozier, however, he has done nothing but good things early in his Hornets tenure. In four preseason games, the 25-year-old put up solid numbers, leading the team with 15.3 points per game on 49% shooting, including 46.3% from beyond the arc.

Rozier also added 5.0 assists per game despite only averaging 24.5 minutes per game, which also was a team-high. His 36-minutes averages total an impressive 22.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. Whether he keeps up that efficiency once the regular season tips off remains to be seen.

Other guards who are expected to be key contributors to Charlotte’s success include Dwayne Bacon, Devonte’ Graham, and Malik Monk. Bacon and Graham each averaged better than 12 points per game during the preseason, while Monk posted a solid 9.5 per game on 50% shooting. Letting Walker leave following the end of last season certainly wasn’t good for the franchise, however, it appears as though the Hornets have several young, potential-filled guards they can build around in the future. Of the four players mentioned in this section, none are older than 25.

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