Hornets’ Rotation Headache
The Charlotte Hornets can’t catch a break this season. Injuries are already wreaking havoc, forcing Charles Lee to do some serious lineup juggling that’s leaving fans – and maybe the players – scratching their heads. With guys like Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, and Nick Richards on the sideline, rookies like Tidjane Salaun have been asked to step up in a big way. But let’s be real: Salaun, a sixth-overall pick who was always considered a bit “raw,” might not be ready for such big minutes yet. The early experiment in the starting lineup is over, and he’s back on the bench, but it leaves a lingering question: did they throw him in too soon?
Is Salaun Ready or Just Necessary?
Salaun’s been showing some glimpses of potential, but I have to wonder if his promotion was less about his readiness and more about pure necessity. With the frontcourt this thin, it’s hard to say if this was a good move for his development or just the only choice Lee had left. I’m skeptical it was fair to the rookie who really should be building confidence in the G-League. It’s a tough call to put that kind of pressure on a player who’s still figuring out his NBA rhythm. With the Hornets’ injury woes, they’re plugging holes as they go, which leaves players like Salaun in this back-and-forth role that might not do him any favors long term. Moussa Diabate might even be a better option at this point; his energy could give us a boost inside to start games, which is something this team desperately needs.
Vasa Micic and the Thin Bench
Then there’s Vasa Micic, who finally saw some court time after an uninspiring preseason that almost kept him off the roster. His minutes weren’t spectacular against Orlando – just 14 minutes with a lone field goal to show for it – but it’s something. Micic had a solid run last year in the final stretch, so all I can do is hope he can find his groove again, but right now he’s part of a bench that’s struggling to pick up the slack.
TV Deal: A New Layer of Frustration
To top it off, there’s the new TV deal mess. Just as fans were getting used to the idea of games being on FanDuel Sports Network, now we’ve got Amazon Prime Video in the mix – but only for local markets. It’s great in theory, sure, but once again, it’s complicated and it’s not exactly cheap. FanDuel is apparently sticking with their high price tag, which makes it tough for fans who aren’t diehards to commit. And don’t even get me started on the a-la-carte options. When you’re charging $7 per game, you’re making it tough on people who just want to check in here and there.
Bottom Line
The Hornets are off to a messy start this season, with rotation experiments, a bench that’s struggling to hold up, and a confusing new TV deal that isn’t helping to reel in fans. It feels like every fix they try just leads to another issue. The team needs to prioritize accessibility – if they want people tuning in, the last thing they should be doing is complicating access. They need to make these games easier to watch and start finding some consistency on the court if they want to keep fans from tuning out.
