Hornets mailbag: Answering questions about Mark Williams, Aleksej Pokuševski, medical team

The countdown is on.

There’s about a month left in the Charlotte Hornets’ season, which has been loaded with road games since the All-Star break, and it probably can’t end fast enough for some after another fruitless campaign. Change is already underway with Jeff Peterson on board as the vice president of basketball operations, and as usual, many questions abound for the Hornets.

In this latest mailbag, we answer reader queries about whether Mark Williams should play before the season ends if he’s capable, what could happen with the Hornets’ medical team, the chances LaMelo Ball is eventually traded, which position could be a priority in June’s NBA Draft and more.

Mark Williams’ return

Hovis asks on X, formerly known as Twitter: Will we potentially see Mark in a few games to cap off the end of the season?

There’s still no official word on Williams’ status, although the expectation is for him to be re-evaluated shortly. But from this vantage point, it doesn’t make sense to put the big man out there again this season. Even though there’s an argument on one side to make sure he can get in some conditioning work or just make sure his body feels good going into the summer, think about it: What happens if he takes a hit in the wrong area again and causes something else to happen that wasn’t anticipated? What would the reaction be publicly then?

Looking at it in that regard, it’s hard to understand why the Hornets would want to put themselves or Williams in that situation considering these games are essentially meaningless. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if we’ve already watched Williams’ final game of his second season.

Medical team changes on horizon?

Jason Alston asks on X: Have the new owners detailed how they’ll improve the medical/conditioning infrastructure?

Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin haven’t really given a blow-by-blow of what they plan to do to the health and performance team led by Joe Sharpe. Peterson was asked about it during his introductory news conference, and he was noncommittal as he had just come on board. However, it would be silly to assume the Hornets aren’t going to take a serious look at every facet of the organization once the season is complete, and that includes the training staff.

Typically, a new ownership group likes to bring in its own people, meaning nearly everyone in the upper structure of the Hornets’ organization will probably be evaluated at some point, and that doesn’t preclude those who oversee the medical situation.

Aleksej Pokuševski in future plans?

Greg asks on X: Is Poku (Aleksej Pokuševski) just getting an extended tryout right now or has he leapfrogged JT Thor in terms of future plans?

When it comes to the back end of the Hornets’ rotation, nobody likely has anything sewed up beyond this season, given that we don’t know how the roster will stack up next season. But yes, Aleksej Pokuševski is definitely getting an extended run from the coaching staff right now to see what he can do. He didn’t play much in Oklahoma City, so the Hornets sent him to Greensboro with the Swarm in the G League to get his conditioning together.

And now with more than a dozen games remaining, the Hornets can take a close peek at Pokuševski’s skill set and determine how he might fit into the plans next season — if at all. Same goes for JT Thor and everyone else on the bench. Many of them are playing for their NBA lives and that adds a little intrigue to these final few weeks.

NBA Draft needs

@SuperSuavsky asks on X: Is there any position in particular they’re going to be looking for in the draft?

Going off the roster as currently constructed, two positions stick out the most. The first is the wing. While Brandon Miller is doing this thing, they technically have to replace Gordon Haywood’s spot at small forward, and Cody Martin has been banged up the last couple of seasons. So they are in dire need of a 3-and-D type, someone who can hit perimeter shots and be counted on to guard one of the opponent’s top players in a blink.

Besides adding to the wing, the Hornets would be well served increasing the depth and versatility on their front line, particularly at power forward. PJ Washington played a variety of positions and roles during his four-plus seasons in Charlotte and although he had his battles with inconsistency, he plugged a lot of holes and was the team’s last line of defense at times. Getting someone to carve out a niche similar to Washington’s should be among their offseason priorities.

Practice facility opening date

SadHornetsFan asks on X: New practice facility when?

Not sure there is an exact date yet because things still have to be approved and finalized. We’re probably still a good way from the grand opening, but at least some of the major hurdles have been cleared recently with the shift of funds. Schnall and Plotkin plan on building the facility sooner than initially contemplated.

When they officially break ground in the gravel parking lot on which the facility will be constructed, then there should be a more definitive date. The early guess is their new digs would will be operational within two to three years.

Trade LaMelo Ball?

John Burrell asks on X: Will they trade Ball and build around Brandon Miller?

Right now, no. And for a couple of reasons. One, the Hornets have to see what LaMelo looks like in a full season when he’s healthy, as would any team attempting to acquire his services. Inquiring minds want to know if he can return to All-Star form while also maintaining injury-free status.

Ball’s popularity is unmatched among any in the organization, including Brandon Miller. Sure, Miller is putting a dent in that somewhat. Make no mistake, though. This is still Ball’s team and keeping him paired with Miller is a key part of the Hornets’ vision. Now, could that change in the future if he can’t stay on the floor? Of course. This is the NBA. Never say never about anything.

Ball’s max rookie contract extension kicks in next season and that’s an awful lot of money to have your cap tied up in somebody you don’t want to build around. So there’s nothing that suggests Ball is on his way out the door anytime soon, especially if you believe what Peterson said during his chat with The Observer the day of his news conference. But the clock is ticking and the 2024-25 campaign, which will be his fifth NBA season, is going to be a huge one for the 22-year-old.