The Charlotte Hornets Must Address Their Need At Center
By Gray Taylor
As free agency draws near, the Charlotte Hornets may have a major question mark at their center position. What will their answer be as they look to improve next year.
The Charlotte Hornets have officially risen from the ashes of the abysmal struggles of the Bobcats era. After ending a 14-year playoff victory drought and forcing a Game 7 against the Miami Heat, the Hornets proved to be among the best teams in the Eastern conference not residing in Cleveland. And now, with five key players hitting the free agent market this summer, GM Rich Cho will face his toughest task yet during Charlotte’s rebuild.
Cho has said he wants to maintain continuity and bring back as many guys as possible, but given the fact that four of the five free agents (Nicolas Batum, Lin, Lee, and Marvin Williams) will all command higher salaries than last year, it will be difficult to avoid change. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering how perimeter-heavy the Hornets roster was this year.
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After being the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA two seasons ago, Cho decided to revamp the roster by exchanging defensive specialists for floor spacers (ex: letting go of Bismack Biyombo and trading for Spencer Hawes).
And while that greatly improved Charlotte’s three-point shooting, it left a considerable hole on the inside. The Hornets had very little rim protection and struggled to rebound at times, particularly in the playoff series against Miami. So it’s fair to say that the Hornets could use a solid interior presence, and there are plenty of options available this summer.
Depending on how Charlotte decides to play the market, there could be room to bring in a quality center. Al Jefferson, Courtney Lee, and possibly even Jeremy Lin would have to be let go, but if it allows the Hornets to make a push for Hassan Whiteside, Dwight Howard, or Bismack Biyombo, then it may well be worth the gamble. If there is any position of need for the Hornets, it is at center.
And reeling in one of the best centers on the market may do enough to push the Hornets over the hump from good to great. Whiteside is a Gastonia, N.C. native, with a skill set and stats that are reminiscent of Alonzo Mourning; Howard has a relationship with Steve Clifford from their days in Orlando; and Biyombo spent his first four NBA seasons in Charlotte before signing with Toronto last summer. Despite the high salaries and attention they command, none of the three players are out of reach for Charlotte.
Two summers ago, the Charlotte Bobcats made the biggest free agent signing in franchise history when they signed Al Jefferson. Now, the Hornets must attempt that same feat. Don’t get me wrong, continuity is great, and many Hornets fans may believe gambling for a big name this summer is a foolish risk. But beware the treadmill of mediocrity in the East (ex: Atlanta Hawks, 2008-2012).
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Right now, the Charlotte Hornets have a good team. And considering how many bad seasons Charlotte has had in the past 12 years, that may be enough for some fans. But if the Hornets want to be great, they must make a change. All eyes will be on Rich Cho and the front office this summer, and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. For more information on potential Hornets 2016 free agency plans, visit this page.