2016-17 NBA Season Preview: Charlotte Hornets

Welcome to theScore's 2016-17 NBA preview, where you'll find comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams and storylines to watch this season.

Charlotte Hornets

2015-16

Offseason Roundup

• Re-signed Nicolas Batum (five-year, $120-million contract)
• Re-signed Marvin Williams (four-year, $54.5-million)

Projected Starting 5

• PG Kemba Walker
• SG Nicolas Batum
• SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
• PF Marvin Williams
• C Cody Zeller

Related: This is the year Kemba Walker becomes an All-Star

Player to watch: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Good news, Hornets fans: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is finally healthy, and better at shooting.

The 6-foot-7 small forward suited up for only seven games last year due to shoulder injuries, averaging 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. It's a minuscule sample size, but it's encouraging nonetheless that Kidd-Gilchrist upped his true shooting percentage from 51.4 to 60.3, while his 3-point accuracy skyrocketed from 16.7 to 43.

It appears Kidd-Gilchrist's efforts to correct his most glaring flaw - shooting - have paid off. He's demonstrated better mechanics and greater range, along with ability to get to and finish at the rim, guard multiple positions, and rebound.

The 2012 No. 2 overall pick has all the makings of a great two-way wing who makes his team better, having posted above-average extrapolated win shares and the team's highest net rating. The 23-year-old also had a 16.9 PER, which would rank in the top 10 of small forwards if maintained over the course of a season.

Yes, it's a big "if," but if MKG can stay healthy he'll provide a huge boost for Charlotte on both ends, and help make up for offseason losses.

Season Expectations

The Hornets far exceeded preseason expectations in 2015-16, as Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, and Marvin Williams had banner years. While some believe the team maxed out its potential, Kemba and Co. could find themselves back in the playoffs - and could be equipped for a deeper run.

Charlotte was one of just five squads that ranked in the top 10 in both defensive and offensive efficiency, while finishing in a three-way tie for the third-best record in the East at 48-34.

Head coach Steve Clifford deserves a ton of credit for the defense, as his system enabled below-average individual defenders to thrive by working collectively. His players consistently got back in transition, closed off the rim, forced mid-range jumpers, and secured defensive boards (ranking fourth in the league). New addition Roy Hibbert should help bolster the unit, especially near the basket.

The offense went from 28th in 2014-15 to ninth last season, as the Hornets moved the ball without turning it over (1st), ran cutters off screens, spread the floor with bigs stepping out, and most importantly, hit threes. They were fourth in 3-pointers attempted with 29.4 per contest, drilling them at a 36.2 percent clip (7th).

However, that side of the ball took a hit when Jeremy Lin and Courtney Lee bolted in free agency. While the organization added Marco Belinelli and Ramon Sessions to replace them for half the price, it'll need other players to step up.

The Hornets hope to make up for lost production with MKG and Batum healthy, sophomore Frank Kaminsky scoring more consistently, and Belinelli having a bounce-back campaign following a down year in Sacramento. It wouldn't be the first time a player came to Charlotte and revived his career under Clifford.

So, despite the criticism around the club's offseason, perhaps Batum isn't so biased in thinking his squad returns better than last year. It seems the Hornets have likely done enough over the summer to remain a playoff team in the improved Eastern Conference.