NBA Notes: Hornets, Dennis Schroder, Sixers, Joel Embiid, Nets

Hornets

The Hornets’ acquisition of Dennis Schroder gives them something they badly needed after trading LaMelo Ball. Namely, an experienced point guard behind Coby White.

Schroder is expected to slide into the No. 2 spot at the position, with rookie Christian Anderson Jr. behind him, as relayed by Schuyler Callihan of NBA on SI.

Charlotte still has some roster work to do, however. The Hornets currently have more players than they can carry into the regular season, meaning at least two moves are expected before opening night.

One area to watch is the wing, where Charlotte currently has Brandon Miller, Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith and Liam McNeeley. NBA on SI identified Finney-Smith as one possible trade candidate given the logjam.

Schroder, meanwhile, gives coach Charles Lee a proven veteran to run the second unit while allowing Charlotte to bring Anderson along without immediately asking too much of him.

76ers

The new-look 76ers won’t have much time to ease into things.

Philadelphia will play 15 of its first 20 games against teams expected to be in the postseason mix, including eight nationally televised games during that stretch, Austin Krell of Sixers on SI noted.

That could provide an early test for a revamped roster featuring LeBron James and Jaylen Brown alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid.

The bigger question may be availability.

Embiid has been carefully managed in recent seasons because of knee issues, while James turns 42 in December. Philadelphia nevertheless caught a scheduling break with just 13 back-to-backs and the fewest three-games-in-four-nights stretches in the league.

Brown has already stressed that assembling big names isn’t enough.

“We got a lot of talent. We got a great opportunity,” Brown said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I want to make it work.”

Nets

If the Nets are going to return to the postseason, they may have to earn it away from Brooklyn.

Thirteen of their 24 games following the All-Star break will be on the road, according to Ivan White of Nets on SI, including a five-game trip and another four-game swing during the final five games of the regular season.

Eleven of those 13 road games come against teams that reached the postseason last year.

There is at least one scheduling gift: Brooklyn gets a seven-game homestand immediately before that final four-game road trip.

For a Nets team hoping to play meaningful basketball in April again, the schedule appears determined to make them prove it.