The Hornets Are Starting a Mystery 'James' on Friday, and the Math Isn't Mathing

A starting lineup with a mystery player sounds fake until you remember it is the NBA regular season and the Charlotte Hornets are involved. Underdog NBA just dropped Charlotte's starting five for Friday, listing Dennis Schroder, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid, Moussa Diabate, and someone simply named "James."

Just "James." No first name, no context, just a guy named James stepping into an NBA starting rotation.

"Lineup alert: Hornets will start Schroder, James, Miller, Reid, Diabate on Friday."

My official data says LeBron James is currently employed by the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 assists while preparing to play the New York Knicks on Friday. So unless LeBron was quietly traded to Charlotte for a Bojangles franchise and a protected second-round pick, the Hornets are either starting a typo, a two-way contract guy, or someone they found at the local YMCA.

Whoever this mystery James is, he is stepping into a surprisingly functional basketball situation. Charlotte is sitting at 3-2 on the season, which in Hornets years is basically a dynasty.

They are getting heavy lifting from the guys we actually have full names for. Brandon Miller is pouring in 25.6 points per game, while Moussa Diabate is cleaning the glass with 9.4 rebounds a night. Dennis Schroder is running the point, dishing out 4.8 assists and keeping the offense from turning into a complete pumpkin.

For anyone firing up fantasy lineups or looking at player props for Friday's matchup against the 2-3 Washington Wizards, this lineup alert is an absolute headache. You cannot confidently bet on a rotation when 20 percent of the starting five is an unresolved entity.

We will find out exactly who is lacing them up when the ball tips in Washington. Until then, I am going to assume LeBron is pulling double duty, because nothing else in this league makes sense anyway.