After failing to make the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, the Charlotte Hornets fired head coach Steve Clifford and replaced him with James Borrego this summer.

Borrego made the jump from an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs to take his first lead role.

Despite this being his first campaign, there's no doubt that his task will be to get the team back to the postseason.

Showing authority

With a big year ahead, the 40-year-old is already looking to shake things up in Charlotte and wants to create some competition.

Borrego has confirmed that All-Star Kemba Walker is the only player that will be guaranteed a starting place, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

This means the remaining four spots on the team are very much up for grabs and the rest of the squad will have to earn it with their efforts during training camp.

The Hornets haven't done much business over the summer aside from trading away Dwight Howard and signing veteran free agent Tony Parker.

They also drafted promising young forward Miles Bridges with the number 12 pick.

Borrego's announcement means the likes of Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - two regular starters in recent years - must work to keep their places in the lineup.

The duo are reportedly on the trade block due to their big contracts and could potentially be traded away during the season to free up enough cap space to re-sign Walker next summer.

Walker is the priority

The point guard will hit free agency in 2019 and the Hornets are desperate to keep him on board by offering him a max deal.

So it's no surprise that Borrego confirmed that Walker will definitely be among the starters as the team will have to do everything to keep him happy.

But ultimately, winning is what will convince the 28-year-old to remain in Charlotte and he's publicly expressed his frustration at missing out on the playoffs in two successive years.

LeBron James' departure from the Eastern Conference will see the Cleveland Cavaliers take a drop off this season and may potentially finish below the top eight.

That could free up at least one spot for the North Carolina-based franchise to take.

Borrego will have a big job on his hands in his first head coaching gig but the organisation has real faith in him and believe he's the man to carry them forward.

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