Post Trade Deadline Rotation Prediction
Following Thursday's trade deadline Hornets fans can expect a change in Charlotte's rotation. Both Mason Plumlee (29.5mpg) and Jalen McDaniels (26mpg) had logged heavy minutes in the Hornets rotation over the last 10 games, who will replace them?
My official rotation predictions WITH Kelly Oubre healthy:
| Starters | Minutes | Bench Rotation | Minutes | Out of Rotation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Point Guard | LaMelo Ball | 34 mpg | Dennis Smith Jr | 14 mpg | Theo Maledon |
Shooting Guard | Terry Rozier | 34 mpg | Bryce McGowens | 14 mpg | James Bouknight |
Small Forward | Gordon Hayward | 28 mpg | Kelly Oubre | 20 mpg | Kai Jones |
Power Forward | PJ Washington | 32 mpg | JT Thor | 16 mpg | Cody Martin (INJ) |
Center | Mark Williams | 26 mpg | Nick Richards | 22 mpg |
For center the answer seems clear, Nick Richards and Mark Williams will take up the lion's share of minutes. Who starts is the question? I would give Williams the slight edge as appears to be ahead of Richards in the rotation and has largely outperformed him. The more time LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams have to build chemistry, the better.
The argument for Nick Richard starting would be that Charlotte need to see if he has a role with the Hornets long term. Richards is a free agent this off-season and the Hornets will need to make a decision on if they want to retain him or not. To this point the Hornets have only see him play as a back-up center against second units, how would he hold up against starters? That's a question that Mitch Kupchak could do with knowing.
On the wing the majority of minutes will go to Kelly Oubre who is due back from his hand surgery anytime now. When Oubre is back I expect McGowens/DSJ to share wing minutes alongside Kelly. Until then I expect to see Byrce McGowens get an opportunity as Hayward's primary back-up, he's already logged 1/3 of his minutes at small forward this season. This could also give James Bouknight the opportunity to move back into the rotation alongside McGowens, but for that to happen Clifford would have to cut back Smith Jr's minutes at shooting guard. If it's down to Bouknight vs McGowens for one rotation spot I think McGowens will be given the first opportunity.
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