With an offseason as active as Ben Simmons during Sixers practice, it’s no exaggeration to say that the Hornets front office has been twiddling its thumbs this summer. Nevertheless, rumors about the arrival of a replacement leader are currently surfacing: Kemba Walker (the big comeback?), Isaiah Thomas (the less big comeback), or Elfrid Payton are the three main names that would interest the leaders of the franchise. from North Carolina. It makes you dream… (no).
That’s it, the Charlotte Hornets Free Agency is launched! Finally these are only rumors but it’s better than nothing because in addition to the legal problems concerning Miles Bridges, the re-signing of Cody Martin until 2026 and the draft of the former Blue Devil Mark Williams, the summer was quiet for MJ’s candor. The Hornets, however, would be looking for depth in the position of leader to ensure the second unit behind the nugget LaMelo Ball. Terry Rozier shouldn’t move from the starting lineup and the young James Bouknight is more of a combo guard than a leader… and he’s sorely lacking in experience. Among the names circulating, the most interesting choice for this role is surely that of a former member of the house, and not just any one: Kemba Walker. The quadruple All-Star could soon be released by the Detroit Pistons, and after a catastrophic season on the side of the Knicks, we would understand that the 1m83 point guard wanted to restore his image. Is he capable of it, he who continues to be embarrassed by his physical glitches lately? Admittedly, he “only” averaged 11.6 points and 3.5 assists in 37 games last season, but we still saw him take a lot of heat, especially against the Wizards on December 23. when he planted 44 points on Bradley Beal and company. A return home could do him the greatest good, he who is still the best scorer in the history of the franchise. It remains to be seen whether the role of mentoring a young (pop)star like LaMelo would suit him.
The Hornets would also investigate the case of Isaiah Thomas, who finished last season in a Charlotte uniform. The former Celtics magic elf (how distant she seems, those days) averaged 8.3 points and 1.4 assists in 17 games with the Hornets last year. Too little for a back-up leader of a team aiming for the Playoffs? Surely. The third and final name on this list of potential newcomers to North Carolina is Elfrid Payton. Do you remember ? But if, you know, the one with the same haircut as The Weeknd. Eh ? More seriously, the 28-year-old leader (3 points and 2 assists in 11 minutes with Phoenix last year) could have an interesting role if he was given good minutes and a specific role off the bench. Let’s not forget that the former hairy player has 10 points and almost 6 career average assists. And then, of the three jokers, he is the youngest and he is surely the one who would stick the most to Steve Clifford’s project.
Will Kemba Walker return to his favorite franchise to play the replacement mentor? Possible, because it’s in the old pots that we make the best soups (the worst expression). In any case, the Hornets still have a little time to find LaMelo’s future back-up, and thus help the franchise to pass a course, and perhaps even a round of Playoffs. Who knows ?
Source : Marc Stein
