Sion James has a real chance to carve out a role for Charlotte this season, and it starts with a wide-open competition for backup guard minutes. The Hornets shook up their backcourt this offseason by shipping LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. Ball made an All-Star team in Charlotte and put up 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.2 steals last season while shooting 40.7% from the field and 36.8% from three.
Coby White slides into the starting point guard job in Ball’s place after signing a three-year, $74 million deal. In 21 games with the Hornets, the 26-year-old averaged 15.6 points, three rebounds and three assists on 46.1% shooting and 39.1% from deep. What Charlotte doesn’t have behind him is a settled backup, and that’s the opening James is chasing in training camp.
James, 23, played in all 82 games as a rookie, averaging 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists while shooting 37.1% from the floor and 35.2% from three. Tighten up the playmaking and the shooting efficiency, and he locks down a rotation spot. Stay inconsistent, and the minutes could slide toward 18th overall pick Christian Anderson and second-year guard Liam McNeeley.
Anderson arrives from a strong season at Texas Tech, where he averaged 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals on 47.2% shooting and 41.5% from three. His passing could matter a lot with Ball gone. McNeeley didn’t see heavy minutes as a rookie, but he’s a knockdown shooter who’s rounding out his ball-handling, another option to run some point.
The rotation is there for the taking, and even after suiting up for all 82 games last year, James still has to win his spot.
