When the Charlotte Hornets traded Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on the deadline final season, nobody actually paid consideration. It was simply Charlotte sending a veteran who did not match the crew’s schedule to win and doing him a favor by sending him to a contender.
To date, the early suggestions has been magnificent. The Hornets solidified their backup level guard spot behind LaMelo Ball with Vasilije Micic, accrued some draft capital and probably acquired a hidden gem in guard Tre Mann.
In his 28 video games with the Hornets final season, Mann confirmed what he might do in an expanded function averaging 11.9 factors, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per sport.
New head coach Charles Lee and vice chairman of basketball operations Jeff Peterson have been happy with the progress he is made within the offseason, and thus far this preseason he is been higher than foreseen. Within the crew’s three video games, he averaged 16 factors, 2.6 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 63% from the sector and 45% from three.
Mann’s success could shock some, however NBA star Damian Lillard really introduced this Hornets guard breakout a yr in the past earlier than the commerce.
“Tre Mann, Oklahoma Metropolis, he had a sack. I do not know if it is going to be in Oklahoma Metropolis however wherever it’s, Tre Mann is good. When he will get a chance someplace as a result of they (OKC) are deep there, I believe he’ll have to maneuver. However when he will get a chance someplace, I am going to inform you. I had my elite camp, we additionally had an expert camp with younger execs, it is like making an attempt to succeed in a milestone… and he jogs my memory how he does issues and what he’s able to, that jogs my memory reminds how Ant (Anfernee Simons) is . For instance, the identical factor I noticed in Ant, that is how I noticed him.
Damain Lillard on Tre Mann a yr in the past: “Tre Mann is good. When he will get a chance someplace…he jogs my memory of how Ant [Edwards] East.”
Tre is averaging 16 factors on 63.6% FG in simply 19 minutes thus far this preseason. pic.twitter.com/UngnrrDwNf
– HornetsHoops (@hornetshoops_) October 11, 2024
Lillard spent 5 seasons with Anfernee Simons and Portland, witnessing his improvement. A couple of years in the past, Simons completed eighth within the Most Improved Participant rankings and over the previous two seasons, he has averaged over 20 factors per sport. If Mann comes shut, the Hornets will likely be in nice form to take the subsequent step within the Japanese Convention.
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