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Chuck Burton/Associated Press

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

MKG continues to step up and become a wall on the defensive end of the floor. After just two years, he has already put himself in the conversation for best perimeter defender.

He may not ever become a big offensive threat, but MKG will be a vital member of the Hornets regardless. He was sadly the recipient of two savage beatings from Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James this past season, both dropping 60-plus points while being guarded primarily by him.

Nobody is taking his starting spot as long as he is healthy. While he may not ever be an elite scorer, he is still going to have to improve on that end after taking a step back across the board in year two. All his numbers decreased except his field-goal percentage because he showed little confidence in challenging himself offensively.

Charlotte has other offensive options, but still needs more than seven points a night out of MKG. He is far too athletic to put up that kind of production regardless of how hideous his jumper is.

2. Jeff Taylor

Charlotte got off to a hot start in 2013-14 with Taylor showing signs of coming into his own. He did not light it up on the stat sheet, but his athleticism and hustle gave Clifford a very reliable option off the bench that he could count on.

Taylor tore his Achilles after just 26 games and should be ready to go before training camp. He has some similar strengths and weaknesses to MKG but is a little more willing to shoot and a little less prone to eliminate someone on the defensive end.

He is not going to be a star, but Taylor will continue to be a quality guy off the bench. It took Charlotte quite some time to fill his void last season and was lucky that guys like Anthony Tolliver and Josh McRoberts were able to perform so well in his absence.

3. Anthony Tolliver

He is not signed for next season, but we are going to roll the dice and predict that Charlotte brings him back.

There is no telling how awful this team would have been from beyond the three-point line without Tolliver last year. He hit 102 threes last season, more than double his previous high in any season. He also connected on 41 percent of his attempts to prove himself as a guy who isn't just in there chucking for a new contract.

Tolliver has developed a reputation for being a great glue guy in his brief career, finding a niche on each roster he has played for doing a number of different roles. He gave Charlotte what they needed this past year, and he must be rewarded for it. The Hornets are in a position that they never thought they would be a year ago—one that requires a big contribution from Tolliver.

History says he will not shoot 41 percent again, possibly because he won't get the same number of opportunities with more talent on the roster. That doesn't mean the Hornets shouldn't bring him back. There isn't a team in basketball that wouldn't welcome Anthony Tolliver with open arms.