On Saturday, the Charlotte Hornets released three players —Davis Bertans, Bryce McGowens, and Aleksej Pokusevski —after they re-signed the controversial Miles Bridges, a key member of their rotation.
With Bertans’s $16 million salary for 2024-25 only partially guaranteed, his release may have largely been a money-saving move. However, at 31 years old, he isn’t ideally suited for a rebuild. Perhaps if he was a locker room leader, he would provide enough benefit to justify his roster spot. Nonetheless, as a 3-point specialist whose minutes would be squeezed in the frontcourt, he was an overpriced commodity.
That’s not the case for McGowens (21) or Pokusevski (22).
Though neither player has yet to make much noise in the NBA, their length and guard skills made them attractive developmental prospects. With new head coach Charles Lee in the building, perhaps they just don’t fit what he’s looking for. Looking at the players who remain on the roster, Charlotte may emphasize the defensive end next season. If so, McGowens and Pokusevski’s length is undermined by a lack of strength and explosiveness. Consequently, Lee cutting them for their defensive deficiencies is understandable.
It also provides another reason that Bertans, an underwhelming defender, may have been waived.
Hornets’ Recent Roster Decision Resonates Throughout NBA
Pokusevski’s fate is ironic.
A benefactor of the Nikola Jokic-inspired interest in Serbian prospects, the Belgrade native was the 17th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. A seven-foot forward, Pokusevski averaged 9.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game in 2023-24. His willingness to launch from 3 also intrigued scouts, with Pokusevski shooting 32.1 percent from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game.
In theory, Pokusevski was a draft darling. He could’ve been another great Serbian pro during what could be considered Jokic’s reign. He’s the archetypal unicorn, possessing a guard skillset at a big man’s height. Instead, he’s struggled to break into an NBA rotation.
Pokusevski’s ultimate destiny has yet to be determined. Nonetheless, his story is cautionary tale about drafting based on trends. This leads to questions about whether Tidjane Salaun, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was the right pick for the Hornets.
Was Tidjane Salaun The Right Pick?
In 2023-24, Salaun averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game on .406-.316-.748 shooting splits. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach, he has outstanding length for a small forward. Yet, he has below average leaping ability, straight-line speed, and short area burst. In most drafts, Salaun may have been a second round pick at best.
However, the fascination with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has led to him having the same draft influence as Jokic the last two years. Of course, basketball is more than a game of numbers. Nonetheless, the production of several of these prospects isn’t what one would expect with their hype.
Salaun is one such player who’ll have to prove he’s not another Pokusevski. With his feel for the game, motor, size, and shooting potential, he could excel offensively. At the defensive end, he should be able to make plays in the passing lanes.
If the Hornets whiffed on Salaun, it’s a poor start for Charlotte’s new regime. If they struck gold, they’ll look like geniuses. With that being said, the entire league should have an interest in how this plays out, as the decision could have consequences that reverberate throughout the league.
