For the Hornets, the changes in the past two years can be described as impressive to many people, this season's regular season has a good record of 43 wins and 39 losses, although unfortunately out of the playoffs, but completely got rid of the rebuild, and became a team with playoff strength, thanks to the explosion of the team's young players, especially Bridges and Lamello Ball.
But the current Hornets are difficult to go further, because the inside line is too weak, the 32-year-old Plumlee has always been the team's starting center position, but the physical fitness and basket deterrent are relatively weak, the defensive end of the team to bring help is very limited, Harrell is often on top of the fifth position, but due to height often become the breakthrough point of the opponent's attack.
So it's imperative for the Hornets to reinforce the interior, and in this context, according to Charlotte Observer reporter Roderick Boone, the Hornets targeted the Nets' 23-year-old potential center Clarkston, planning to offer him a four-year, $45 million contract and promising to give him the starting center position, and the Nets general manager Sean Max plans to let him out of Brooklyn.
Why is the 23-year-old Clarkston a center with a lot of potential?
Although this player entered the league as a second-round show, it is undeniable that he has top physical qualities, with a height of 211cm, an arm span of 220cm, a standing height of 279cm, a running bounce of 93cm, excellent mobility, and a good sense of defense, so we can often see him on the court playing a flat frame hat.
In today's small-ball era, this kind of center with speed and defense is very popular, even if the offensive end can not provide much help, but can serve as the team's inner line gate, and Clarkston has a strong ability to change defenses, can be on the inside line, but also outside the three-point line, so only 23 years old, the future is very promising to become a very good frame protector.
Why did the Hornets just look at Clarkston as a player?
1. The nets' current situation and reinforcement of the interior line
In today's market, in fact, there are not many internal players with strength and defensive potential, and the Nets have just experienced a stretch season, the team is bound to carry out a major change of blood, need to change the status quo through trading, many players in the team have been put on the shelf, including third-year rookie Clarkston, the Hornets as long as they give the right offer, the trade success rate will be greatly improved.
Then there is the successful rebuilding of the Hornets prefer energetic young players, Clarkston is a very suitable candidate, as well as the Hornets lack of interior line, the urgent need to strengthen is the big center, most importantly, the Hornets salary is very sufficient, 4 years 45 million can get their favorite players, or very worthwhile, Claxton deserves.
2. Match the new air connection city with the three-ball set
It is precisely because of Clarkston's excellent physical fitness, so his ability to eat cakes on the court is also very strong, before Harden in the Nets, he fed him a lot of balls, the effect is very good, his consciousness and bounce can let him easily complete some difficult air-connecting actions, and the Hornets' core guard three-goal Ramello Ball is also a good player in organizing the team.
Only in the second year of the league, he has already shown his top passing ability very well, averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this season, very comprehensive, is the Hornets' on-court brain, so if Clarkston comes to the Nets, then it may not be the glory of Paul and Griffin, and the Hornets are also expected to become the second city to connect.
Then again, what are The obvious shortcomings of Clarkston?
The first is his shooting ability, it can be said that there is basically no, just like the second Simmons, the free throw is worse than him, in the Nets and Celtics G4, Clarkston is 1 of 11 free throws, breaking the record of the worst free throw shooting rate in the playoffs, it is simply outrageous, three-point and mid-range shooting is not, the main way to score is to rely on the basket to fight for a second offense and eat cake.
Another point that must be said is his defensive habits, perhaps because of his youth, many times it is not defensive, but lack of defensive experience, rebounding card awareness also needs to be improved, but these are can be polished later, only 23 years old, he is very promising to become a top frame protector, this is enough, the Hornets are also looking at his potential on the defensive end.
Overall, although Clarkston is not a superstar in the league or a super rookie with a high pick, it is obviously very suitable for the current Hornets, but for the Nets, it is a pity to let Go of Allen, will you choose to send Clarkston this time?