Charlotte Hornets fans don’t have much optimism about this season. After humiliating a 141-88 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the team sat 14-41, trying to find motivation. But a highlight has emerged, a drama by Jusuf Nurkić, the center of the new acquisition.
Nurkić reached the trade deadline for Charlotte after being dissatisfied with Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. The Suns recently acquired Nick Richards from the Hornets in January, hovering to another deal. Since joining Charlotte, Nurkic has performed well and has raised questions about his long-term fit with the team.
What did Nurkic do on the court to get the Hornets’ appeal? Can his senior figure and skill set help the franchise turn the situation around? Most importantly, should he stay outside of this season?
Nurkic veteran
If anything is shown this season, it’s the value of veteran leadership – look at the revival of the Detroit Pistons. The Hornets now have three players, with at least a decade of NBA experience: Nurkić, Seth Curry and Taj Gibson. While Nurkic’s production wasn’t enough to keep the sun, his brief time in Charlotte raised interesting questions about his potential impact.
In four games (two starts) with the Hornets, Nurkić averaged just 17.3 minutes per game, averaging 7.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He also contributed to the defense with 1.0 steals and 1.3 caps per game. His ability to promote and create opportunities for teammates adds elements that Charlotte’s offense lacks. With his figure and his lost intuition, he can act as a secondary organizer, reducing the burden on the team’s defenders while helping to orchestrate the offense.
Aside from numbers, Nurkic’s leadership and experience can be priceless for the Hornet’s young core. Players like Tidjane Salaün and Mark Williams can benefit from his veteran holding their presence, learning the nuances of NBA-level physical, positioning and defensive communication. Additionally, his ability to mentor young big men may prove crucial when the Hornets do a rebuild.
Nurkic organizers
Looking at Nurkić as the organizer, head coach Charles Lee should have an interesting view of the Hornets’ offensive potential. Nurkić holds the ball in his hand to relieve the pressure on the team’s defenders, thus making them more focused on scoring rather than promoting.
In addition to his performance, Nurkic’s experience and skills can provide much-needed stability in the frontcourt. His ability to set up a powerful screen and make informed decisions can help unlock better offensive processes, especially for young players who are still developing the game. If Nurkic remains valid, the Hornets must keep him as a veteran leader or seek a long-term choice for young people.
In summary
Despite the struggles of the Hornets’ season, the arrival of Jusuf Nurkic offers an interesting subplot. His game, rebounding and defensive form has been impacted in a limited number of minutes, and his senior leaders may be valuable to a young team looking to build an identity.
Nurkic’s role will be a key issue when the Hornets evaluate their long-term plans. Can he be the basic work in team reconstruction, or just a short-term termination? Nurkić’s season performance will determine whether the Hornets retain him or seek other options to reshape the roster.
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