One Reason the Hornets May Not Want to Pull the Plug on the Season
The Charlotte Hornets are once again dealing with the injury bug early in the 2023-24 season which could cost them two consecutive years of competitive basketball. Another ankle injury to face of the franchise LaMelo Ball has as well as injuries to Mark Williams, Gordon Hayward, and others has put this team in a difficult position as we reach the midway point of the season.
Sitting at 8-25 on the season, it's extremely likely that by the time the NBA trade deadline rolls around, the Hornets will be in a position to be sellers instead of buyers. But don't declare the Hornets as such this early on. I'm not stating this because I have intel that Ball will return soon or that I get the sense the Hornets are about to turn the corner. It all comes down to one thing - job security.
GM Mitch Kupchak and head coach Steve Clifford could be on their way out of town if this season continues to go in the direction its headed. Clifford has said publicly that he knows this is probably his last chance of being a head coach in the NBA and Kupchak , 69, understands that his time in the association is close to running out despite a recent contract extension.
Kupchak has stated numerous times he wants to "see this thing through" when it comes to the young core he's helped assemble and with new ownership now in the fold, waving the white flag on the season is something he's not going to want to do until it's absolutely necessary. And the same could be said for Clifford, who is on the final guaranteed year of his contract.
The writing may already be on the wall in regard to their respective futures, but if a mid-season turnaround takes place, it gives them a stronger chance to "see this thing through."
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