Doug Branson here, the host of the daily Locked On Hornets podcast, with your daily Locked On Hornets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Hornets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Mark Williams’ Outstanding 1st Half Not Enough In Loss to Suns + Nick Richards Trade Rumors
Jan 12, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) passes the ball past Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
📊 Mark Williams Shows Out (For a Half) Mark Williams gave us a first half to remember with 22 points and 13 rebounds, showing why the Hornets view him as a key piece of their future. But the second half told a different story as conditioning and Phoenix’s adjustments slowed him down. It’s clear Williams has the talent, but can he sustain it for full games and against better defenses?
💡 My Take: Williams’ flashes of brilliance are exciting, but consistency in clutch moments will determine his ceiling. Patience is key, but Charlotte fans should be encouraged by his 1st half particularly because the Hornets seem intent on playing the long game with him.
🎯 LaMelo Ball: Shooting or Struggling? LaMelo attempted a staggering 17 three-pointers, continuing a trend of high-volume shooting. His efficiency, however, remains a concern, shooting just 32% from deep in the last five games. Doug shares an intriguing stat: LaMelo’s shot attempts per minute this season rival those of Michael Jordan’s early years.
💡 My Take: LaMelo’s high usage underscores the team’s lack of creators. A healthy roster might ease his burden, but Charlotte’s offense needs more balance.
🔥 Nick Richards: Trade Rumor Mill The Suns reportedly want Nick Richards, with offers including Yusuf Nurkic’s contract and second-round picks. While Richards has been solid, this could be an opportunity for Charlotte to capitalize on his value.
💡 My Take: Trading Richards only makes sense if the return means multiple picks. The Suns are desperate no need to let them off the hook. Nick’s contract will only be sweeter next season. I don’t love returning Nurkic but he has the ability to shoot threes and he would add the “annoying, physical presence” they’ve been missing since Grant Williams tore his ACL.
What’s next: The Hornets need to regroup and evaluate their strategy, both on the court and in trade discussions. Stay tuned for updates on Brandon Miller’s development and potential offseason moves.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Rookie Mark Williams is proving essential for the Charlotte Hornets’ future, showing significant growth and potential. Discover more about his impact in the in-depth analysis. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade Bleacher Report looks at one trade each team should make. So who should the Hornets target?
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
