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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a play against the New York Knicks on March 26, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a play against the New York Knicks on March 26, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are team that always seems like they should be in the mix, but tends to underwhelm. They have one under-appreciated star in Kemba Walker, but the supporting cast has always been a bit iffy. Naturally, how far they can get this year depends on how much help Walker can get.

The biggest variable will likely be second-year man Malik Monk. Like his fellow Wildcat De’Aaron Fox, Monk was highly disappointing as a rookie, as the speed of the NBA threw him off, and his collegiate sharpshooting was nowhere to be found. If Monk gets used to NBA pace, and regains his stroke, he could pair up with Walker, and give the Hornets a downright frightening backcourt.

The East is always going to be the East (especially with LeBron in the West now), and playoff spots aren’t necessarily difficult to come by. If Monk, and rookie Miles Bridges can give the Hornets a boost there’s no reason why they can’t make their first run since 2016.