With their best all-around player out for the season due to an injury, the Michael Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets are hoping that they still have enough to battle it out for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the team’s best defensive player and one of the core players on offence, is out for the year with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and other players, particularly the new acquisitions in the 2015 offseason, are expected to step up to try to make up for the lost production from the wings.

Combo forward Nicolas Batum and combo guard Jeremy Lin, acquired via trade and free agency, respectively, are expected to have larger roles with the Hornets with Kidd-Gilchrist out. Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb, another acquisition via a trade, is pegged to have a breakout year after a disappointing and limited stint with previous team, Oklahoma City Thunder.

Batum had a down season with the Portland Trail Blazers last season while Lin had an inconsistent year with the Los Angeles Lakers. Both now have a chance to re-establish their games in the league as they have shown in the past that they can be major contributors for their previous teams. Batum averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game in the recent 2015 FIBA Europe Championships where France bagged the bronze medal.

Last year for Portland, Batum averaged 9.4 points per game, his lowest since his rookie year. However, his usage and minutes is expected to rise in Charlotte, where his versatility is much needed on both ends of the floor.

Meanwhile, Lin averaged respectable numbers of 11.2 points and 4.6 assists for the Lakers last year but is in his fourth NBA team in the last five seasons. The Taiwanese-American guard is looking to prove that he can bring back “Linsanity” in some form and finally get a long-term stint in Charlotte.

The Hornets are still banking on the continued development of starting PG Kemba Walker and consistency of veteran centre Al Jefferson. Walker struggled with some injuries last year but managed to average 17.3 points, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game while Jefferson, who also was not 100 per cent healthy last year, averaged 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

2015-2016 Charlotte Hornets Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: Kemba Walker/Jeremy Lin/Brian Roberts/Aaron Harrison
Shooting Guards: Nicolas Batum/Jeremy Lamb/Troy Daniels
Small Forwards: P.J. Hairston/Marvin Williams
Power Forwards: Cody Zeller/Frank Kaminsky/Tyler Hansbrough
Centres: All Jefferson/Spencer Hawes

Other 2015-2016 NBA Team Previews:
Gallinari, Faried and Mudiay form new core in Denver
Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond to spark rebuilding Detroit Pistons
Paul, Griffin and Jordan lead reloaded Los Angeles Clippers

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