Predicting the Charlotte Hornets' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Charlotte Hornets' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By George Middleton

July 19, 2015

Predicting Charlotte Hornets' 2015 Starting Lineup

Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets — The Charlotte Hornets traded Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson for Nicolas Batum. They traded Lance Stephenson for Spencer Hawes as well. In the draft they selected Frank Kaminsky with the ninth pick. The Hornets have the pieces to compete for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Charlotte Hornets traded Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson for Nicolas Batum. They traded Lance Stephenson for Spencer Hawes as well. In the draft they selected Frank Kaminsky with the ninth pick. The Hornets have the pieces to compete for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

PG- Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets

PG- Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets — Kemba Walker is a guarantee to start the point guard spot. Walker averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists. He is a good offensive player, the problem is he doesn't defend well. The previous two seasons Walker averaged 17.7 points. If Walker improves his assists totals he has a shot at making the All-Star game. The Hornets' season can be determined by the play of their floor general.

Kemba Walker is a guarantee to start the point guard spot. Walker averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists. He is a good offensive player, the problem is he doesn't defend well. The previous two seasons Walker averaged 17.7 points. If Walker improves his assists totals he has a shot at making the All-Star game. The Hornets' season can be determined by the play of their floor general.

SG- Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum Charlotte Hornets

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SG- Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum Charlotte Hornets — Nicolas Batum is a big pickup for the Hornets. Batum can do it all, he is a terrific passer, good defender and a dangerous shooter. Last season, Batum underperformed as he averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. It is likely that Batum will start at shooting guard since Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will start at small forward.

Nicolas Batum is a big pickup for the Hornets. Batum can do it all, he is a terrific passer, good defender and a dangerous shooter. Last season, Batum underperformed as he averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. It is likely that Batum will start at shooting guard since Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will start at small forward.

SF- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Charlotte Hornets

SF- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Charlotte Hornets — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a lockdown defender that struggles to create his own offense. Kidd-Gilchrist does a good job of scoring on offensive rebounds and slashing, but his shooting is certainly a work in progress. Last year he averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds. If Kidd-Gilchrist becomes a reliable shooter from at least 15 feet he will be a dangerous player.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a lockdown defender that struggles to create his own offense. Kidd-Gilchrist does a good job of scoring on offensive rebounds and slashing, but his shooting is certainly a work in progress. Last year he averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds. If Kidd-Gilchrist becomes a reliable shooter from at least 15 feet he will be a dangerous player.

PF- Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller Charlotte Hornets

PF- Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller Charlotte Hornets — The starting power forward spot is the hardest to predict on the Hornets. The Hornets can choose to start stretch-four Marvin Williams or sharpshooting rookie Frank Kaminsky. The Hornets will stick with Cody Zeller at the four. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds last year.

The starting power forward spot is the hardest to predict on the Hornets. The Hornets can choose to start stretch-four Marvin Williams or sharpshooting rookie Frank Kaminsky. The Hornets will stick with Cody Zeller at the four. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds last year.

C- Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson Charlotte Hornets

C- Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson Charlotte Hornets — Al Jefferson has been a force offensively for nearly the past decade. Jefferson averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season. Every season it's a new chance for Jefferson to make a push for his first All-Star season, as he has been snubbed countless times. Jefferson will benefit from the acquisition of Batum, as he is another playmaker for Charlotte.

Al Jefferson has been a force offensively for nearly the past decade. Jefferson averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season. Every season it's a new chance for Jefferson to make a push for his first All-Star season, as he has been snubbed countless times. Jefferson will benefit from the acquisition of Batum, as he is another playmaker for Charlotte.

George Middleton is a Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgemiddlet0n, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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