The Charlotte Hornets added seven new players to address two of last season’s weaknesses: height and 3-point shooting. Trading for Nicolas Batum and drafting Frank Kaminsky were offseason moves that addressed both flaws.
Kaminsky will enter his first NBA training camp competing with Cody Zeller for minutes at the power forward position. Kaminsky demonstrated over the summer that he can stretch defenses out to the 3-point line, something that’s not in Zeller’s offensive game.
Batum’s presence on the court should make up for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s lack of offensive production. Jeremy Lamb, Troy Daniels and P.J. Hairston's shooting presence will also be leaned on to help prevent teams from double teaming Al Jefferson down in the post.
Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer breaks down the Hornets new additions and what role we can expect from them this season:
- “[Head coach Steve] Clifford wants to play ‘one-in, four-out,’ NBA terminology for surrounding Jefferson with four 3-point threats. The Hornets aren’t going to get many 3s from Kidd-Gilchrist, so it’s important the power forward can make a corner 3-pointer to spread the floor. …All these guys are on the roster in an attempt to address the Hornets’ biggest flaw: Charlotte’s 3-point percentage – 31.8 percent – was worst in the NBA last season. It’s tough to see the Hornets improving much without the 3-point percentage rising. Teams could crowd Jefferson in the lane without much fear of other Hornets beating them with 3s.”
