Who Will Be the Hornets Starting 'Two' Guard to Begin the Season?
As training camp begins for the Hornets next week, one of the position battles to watch is for the starting shooting guard position. Tre Mann, Collin Sexton, and Kon Knueppel will look to earn the opportunity to be in the same backcourt as LaMelo Ball. This battle will feature two veterans who have seen their fair share in the league and a rookie looking to make an impact in his first year in the association. So, who will come out on top to begin the season? Let’s dive in!
The Hornets have set themselves up for this competition, and this is a good problem to have. They have Sexton, who is known for his defensive tenacity and is a floor general. The former Alabama guard has improved his shot since being drafted by the Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Draft. His skill set will be useful in case there is an injury to Ball, as the Hornets' starting point guard has dealt with extensive injuries in the past. Sexton might be the perfect guy coming into coach Lee’s second season as he tries to establish his culture. Due to his veteran experience and having more years in the league compared to the other two guards, Sexton might open up the season as the starting ‘two’ guard for the Hornets.
As for Mann and Knueppel, they may have a case depending on how they perform in training camp and how they look in the preseason. Tre Mann was arguably in the conversation to be an early candidate for Sixth Man of the Year before a back injury cost him his season last year. The former Florida guard has the leg up on his competitors due to having a year of experience in the system that the Hornets want to deploy. If he can come back and put on the same type of performance, Mann might jump Sexton into the starting two spot; however, it looks like he defined his role as a sixth man last season, and it looks like that will be his role to start the season.
Another player who might start the season coming off the bench with Mann is Knueppel. However, the sharpshooter from Duke impressed many with his performance in the NBA Summer League, meaning that potentially the former Blue Devil could be elevated to the starting lineup. Knueppel averaged 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists in five games in Las Vegas. He also shot 34% from the three-point line, known for his marksmanship, that number will only go up throughout the course of his career. If Knueppel continues to impress throughout training camp and the preseason and outplays both Mann and Sexton in the process, then the Hornets may have no choice but to put the six-foot-seven guard in the starting lineup.
The Hornets have options, but the sure bet is on Collin Sexton. He has experience compared to the others, and his skill set could help the Hornets on both ends of the floor. While Mann and Knueppel have the potential to be in the starting lineup, it would be best for the Hornets to take a wait-and-see approach with both of them. Mann has the potential to be inserted into the starting lineup, but is probably best served as a sixth man. Knueppel has the highest potential of anybody in the group because of his play in the Summer League and his high upside. The Hornets may want to see how the former Blue Devil performs in the preseason, and if he performs well, they may have to put him in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
