The Charlotte Hornets had decent acquisitions in the offseason to strengthen their roster but will miss one important piece as forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist sits out for six months following his shoulder surgery last Tuesday.
Kidd-Gilchrist needed surgery after suffering a dislocated shoulder and a torn labrum during their preseason opener against the Orlando Magic.
In a report by the Associated Press, Kidd-Gilchrist decided to have surgery because the risks of aggravating the injury are higher if he opted not to.
The loss is a huge blow for the Hornets since the 22-year-old is one of their most efficient players especially on defense and was recently signed to a four-year extension contract worth $52 million.
In the report by the Associated Press, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford will be using the preseason to look for combinations which will help them in Kidd-Gilchrist's absence, with P.J. Hairston or Jeremy Lamb likely benefitting because of the situation.
Kidd-Gilchrist was set to start at small forward (number three position) and offseason trade acquisition Nicolas Batum will be the starter at the shooting (number two) position.
But because of the injury, Batum will be starting at the small forward position, which was his role for the majority of his National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Portland Trail Blazers before getting traded.
With Batum playing the number three position, that leaves Hairston or Lamb as the options to start at shooting guard.
But the Associated Press suggested that Batum can remain as the starting shooting guard and power forward Marvin Williams will start at the number three position.
The Hornets made good roster moves in the offseason and also drafted quality rookies, but Kidd-Gilchrist's injury is a major setback for a team aiming to return to the playoffs.
Charlotte finished with a 33–49 record in the 2014–15 regular season, placing them only eleventh in the Eastern Conference.
