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NBA Offseason Rankings: Scouting the Southeast Division

By Vincent Mcmillan

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Dwight Howard #8 of the Atlanta Hawks high fives fans as he heads to the locker room after the game against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2016 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Dwight Howard #8 of the Atlanta Hawks high fives fans as he heads to the locker room after the game against the New York Knicks on December 28, 2016 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Malik Monk speaks with the media after being selected eleventh overall by the Charlotte Hornets at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No 4. – Charlotte Hornets

Outgoing Players: Marco Belinelli (trade), Miles Plumlee (trade)

Incoming Players: Malik Monk (draft), Dwayne Bacon (draft), Dwight Howard (trade), Michael Carter-Williams (free agency)

Last season the Charlotte Hornets just missed the Playoffs. With the East getting noticeably weaker, this season the Hornets have a good chance of getting back into the Playoff picture.

The addition of Dwight Howard gives the Hornets a solid rim protector on the interior. Hornets coach Steve Clifford coached Howard during some of his best years. And Clifford has lots of confidence in him. This reunion could be just what Howard needs to reclaim his spot as an All-Star in the league.

And the Hornets did not give up much in the trade for Howard by losing Marco Belinelli and Miles Plumlee.

Howard still averages more than 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. But with two years left on his contract, it is hard to see the direction the Hornets want to go in the future. Taking on Howard’s contract would be a missing piece for a contender looking to win now. Charlotte is still fairly young and will possibly look to gain more assets near the trade deadline by shopping Howard.

Drafting Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon provides the Hornets with more scoring options to take the load from Kemba Walker and allow Howard to focus on defense.

With more shooting on the floor, Howard can operate better in space. Bringing in Michael Carter-Williams gives Charlotte a long, pass-first point guard to distribute the ball and possibly allow Walker to play off the ball more.

The Hornets’ ceiling may be relatively low, but the team clearly has the talent to make a push in this new landscape.

Projected starting lineup: Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams, Dwight Howard