Charlotte Hornets budding young gun Dwayne Bacon has one goal in mind this season: be the best 3-and-D player the team can rely on. The 40th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft recently sat down with Hornets.com to talk about his individual and team expectations for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

Sam Perley wrote an article on it.

“Defending the best player on the court at all times and knocking down shots. I definitely want to shoot about 38-40 percent from three,” he stated in an interview with Hornets.com.

“[I] just got in the gym and [started] shooting,” Bacon said. “More threes, working on my all-around game as always, but very, very focused on the three ball. They know I can get to the rack and I know that as well, but just right now, the key for me is to knock down shots. That’s what I’m willing to do and in order to do that, you have to get better at that.”

Article Continues Below
More Charlotte Hornets News
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Hornets jersey shrugging on the left. Have Miles Bridges in Clippers jersey on the right
What if Hornets didn’t trade Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Miles Bridges?Jerry Donatien ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) and forward Brandon Miller (24) at mid court against the Miami Heat during the second half at Spectrum Center.
RUMOR: Insider speculates on bombshell Hornets trades to build around LaMelo BallAlex House ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center.
Hornets rumors: The ‘favorite’ at No. 4 to be next LaMelo Ball co-starJoey Mistretta ·
Julius Randle playing for the Timberwolves. T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Julius Randle free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Naz Reid playing for Timberwolves with T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Naz Reid free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) controls the ball as he is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (00) during the first half at the Spectrum Center.
NBA rumors: Lonzo Ball isn’t only 1 who wants to see LaMelo Ball trade to ClippersScotty White ·

Even though Bacon did not have the most eye-popping numbers in his rookie season, he showed glimpses of his potential to be a defensive lynchpin for the Hornets. Early in the season, he was placed in the starting lineup while Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was recuperating from an injury. In a November game against the San Antonio Spurs, he scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, a showing he can also shoot the rock.

With new coach James Borrego taking the reins of this young Hornets team, Bacon is expected to flourish under a more fast-paced system. It's still too early to tell if he will nab that starting swingman spot but Bacon has a lot to prove in his sophomore year.