2018 NBA Power Rankings: It’s time to sell on the Cleveland Cavaliers

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Dwyane Wade #9 during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Dwyane Wade #9 during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 04: Teammates Kemba Walker #15 and Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets watch on against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on December 4, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 04: Teammates Kemba Walker #15 and Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets watch on against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on December 4, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

21. Charlotte Hornets (16-25)

For the second straight season, the Charlotte Hornets are massively underperforming. Nic Batum is having his worst season in quite some time, and Kemba Walker often seems like a one-man wrecking crew on most nights.

That’s a problem because it leaves the Hornets in this weird purgatory where they’re not good enough to make the playoffs, but not bad enough to earn a good enough draft pick to make a difference.

The Hornets need to figure out if it’s time to throw in the towel on this core. And if they fail to make the playoffs again this season, it might be time to do so.