The "Dude": The Mitch Kupchak Thread

[Chapelchilla]

Lol. Mitch is getting borderline as much backlash for letting Kemba go that a guy who is horrible in Biyombo, a backup center who is meh in Zeller and an average replaceable player in Monk. Graham I can get, but we got a good pick in return. I love the offseason so far and it's not done yet

"Good" is subjective. It could be good in a couple years, but that doesn't help us escape 34-48 this upcoming season.

Again, we're not even 24 hours removed from the start of FA and you're already on here locking in our performance next season.

And we are months away from the season with the most $ available in the league
That is not nothing
Bunch a glass half (always) empty analysis when you don’t wait to see how the parts fit and what the plan is. Not revealing everything in advance is smart. We may be working on a smaller trade , adding a stopgap FA backup soon to tide the team over until training camp, now confident in Terry playing some point, going all in on a a major deal, whatever. I think we gotta wait and see before we chicken little it up.

[Robot Rock]

Lol. Mitch is getting borderline as much backlash for letting Kemba go that a guy who is horrible in Biyombo, a backup center who is meh in Zeller and an average replaceable player in Monk. Graham I can get, but we got a good pick in return. I love the offseason so far and it's not done yet

"Good" is subjective. It could be good in a couple years, but that doesn't help us escape 34-48 this upcoming season.

Again, we're not even 24 hours removed from the start of FA and you're already on here locking in our performance next season.

My point was the 23rd overall pick in 2023 doesn't directly benefit a team advertised as chasing some semblance of success in the immediate. And, looking at our records since 2014, I mean, 34-48 is about where we live regardless of roster assembly.

[CuseMayne]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31999224/charlotte-hornets-gm-mitch-kupchak-says-team-plans-develop-young-centers-grow-star

So looks like Richards and Vern will stay on the roster heading into the season. Don't we have one extra player for the 15 man roster, and it's between Cody Martin and Jalen McDaniels? Not sure how it works, but if so, sheesh we need to keep McD.

[SWedd523]

Richards isn't an NBA player IMO

[CuseMayne]

Richards isn't an NBA player IMO

I'm with you there. Just seems like the article implied that he was going to be in the rotation...he's looked terrible in SL so far.

[Rays Pompadour]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31999224/charlotte-hornets-gm-mitch-kupchak-says-team-plans-develop-young-centers-grow-star

So looks like Richards and Vern will stay on the roster heading into the season. Don't we have one extra player for the 15 man roster, and it's between Cody Martin and Jalen McDaniels? Not sure how it works, but if so, sheesh we need to keep McD.

Agreed on McDaniels. He's the keeper between the two. Adding Oubre made that decision clear, I think.

[Hornet Mania]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

[Rays Pompadour]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I don't think they trust Vern. Or at least Borrego doesn't. That's why I figure they'll keep Richards somehow.

[Hornet Mania]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I don't think they trust Vern. Or at least Borrego doesn't. That's why I figure they'll keep Richards somehow.

How to Ace a Charlotte Hornets Job Interview- For Big Men

JB: How would you describe your offensive skill set?

Player: I can't say that I have one.

JB: Welcome to the Charlotte Hornets.

[JDR720]

Vernon is an old-school offensive center. I think JB values defense at the position more than offense. Which I don't disagree with, but Vernon is a lot better than Richards is overall.

Richards is one of those guys who are professional players because they're tall and athletic. He has no skills otherwise.

Vernon had a couple games last year that looked very promising. I think we could play him 15mpg and not regret it.

[MPM]

Richards does very little for me other than look the part. Plus, he's 23.

[BigSlam]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I actually wondered if they know what they have with Vern, and like it, and Richards is getting all the run this SL as his last chance to prove something that makes him worth keeping?

[Hornet Mania]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I actually wondered if they know what they have with Vern, and like it, and Richards is getting all the run this SL as his last chance to prove something that makes him worth keeping?

I now choose to believe this theory.

It's as good an explanation as any. The run Richards has gotten is completely inexplicable to me. He looks like 100% sunk cost at this point.

[Liver_Pooty]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I actually wondered if they know what they have with Vern, and like it, and Richards is getting all the run this SL as his last chance to prove something that makes him worth keeping?

Vern not getting any PT last game was....... an interesting choice to put it mildly.

[yosemiteben]

IMO it's an easy decision to cut Richards and keep Martin/McD/Vern. But the front office seems to like him as much or more than Vern.

I actually wondered if they know what they have with Vern, and like it, and Richards is getting all the run this SL as his last chance to prove something that makes him worth keeping?

This is what I thought was going on.

[Snidely FC]

I believe Cody and McDaniels money became guaranteed this month Iwundu Carey & Richards guaranteed as well so that would mean the team will eat at least one minimum contract to cut roster to 15, right?

And doesn't have to be Carey* v Richards, could be Cody v Iwundu? Maybe one of these guys can be traded for future 2nds? Mitch got some work left to do


*ps Carey only one of these guys with 2 yrs guaranteed money left

[fatlever]

Do not cut Cody. I have 100% faith in his value to this team.

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[BlackOutBuzz]

While technically Cody and McDaniels are the easiest cuts money-wise, I imagine they're in better standing than Iwundu, Richards, and probably Carey.

This team is already paying the Batum dead money, and they're at the cap but nowhere near the tax, so cutting a minimum guaranteed guy over a non-guaranteed contract isn't gonna make a major difference.

Though I still think it could be beneficial to make a trade or two to get down to 14 players or so; would also create more options for promising Summer League guys like LiAngelo and Carton.

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[amcoolio]

If only Gelo had Cody Martin's....everything else....

Gelo just moves so badly and doesn't have any athleticism, he only has one NBA skill which is shooting. Cody is superior in every single other aspect of basketball. I doubt Gelo gets a 2-way or exhibit 10 contract.

Also no way we can cut Thor he has a lot of promise and a insane frame/wingspan. I think Mitch is looking at a Washington trade. Honestly McDaniels showed a lot than PJ can't do at the end of last season, I wonder what the team really think's of Washington's future here.

[BigSlam]

How about the way this guy has put this team together.?

Slap some respect on The Dude’s name!!