Charlotte Hornets: Picking up Pieces

The Charlotte Hornets have had a quiet yet productive offseason this year as they have re-signed their top priorities in free agency as well as picking up some valuable pieces.

It’s safe to say our Charlotte Hornets didn’t make a big splash this offseason. The team didn’t land a Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard or even a Brandon Jennings, BUT General Manager, Rich Cho, and company did get some quality work done. Regardless of what the outside world thinks, the moves made in the opening stages of free agency will have a great effect on this team’s success. And one by one, the pieces became whole. Here, we will examine each move and piece together the team’s tapestry of future success.

First, the Charlotte Hornets agree in principle to trade the 22nd draft pick, Malachi Richardson, for nine-year veteran Marco Belinelli. As a Cho believer, the move aims to build on last year’s success and signify a win-now attitude. Although not an All-Star, Bellinelli does offer plenty to any second unit. As a career 38% three-point specialist, Bellinelli is a smart, dependable, seasoned and most importantly, affordable vet who the Hornets, AND Head Coach Steve Clifford, can depend on. Bellinelli is a leader, a capable teacher/mentor and a playable asset for at least two years.

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Second, bringing Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams back on long-term contracts. For obvious reasons, bringing back two of the best players (and starters) from last year’s squad keeps the continuity flowing in Charlotte. After bounce back seasons, the team flourished on both ends of the floor with the two veterans inside of the starting lineup.

With Batum and Williams dabbling in all facets of the game, the Hornets played a more unselfish style of play that included everyone contributing, and no other two exhibited teamwork and contributing than Batum and Williams. Locking up these two players keeps two starters from a team that attained 48 wins as well as two more players who legitimately wanted to stay in Charlotte for years to come.

Though that may not sound like much, keeping two players who could have signed elsewhere for a lot more money is a great accomplishment for the small market Charlotte team. Even if it’s an eye-popping $174.5 million combined between them. A win is a win, right?

Third… Um… Signing Ramon Sessions… Well… Ok, cool. I got it. After losing Jeremy Lin to the Brooklyn Nets free agency, the Hornets needed a reliable player who could spell Kemba Walker during the long 82-game season.

After focusing their efforts on retaining their own, Cho and company used the available resources to secure the services of a certain Myrtle Beach native, who happens to have prior knowledge of the team.

Sessions, a serviceable back-up, could use his slashing and knack for getting to the free throw line along with veteran knowledge to help orchestrate the second unit. With a PPG (points per game) average of 9.9 last season, Sessions will allow the team to have a veteran capable of scoring and distributing.

Fourth, signing Roy Hibbert. After seasons of decline, Hibbert is considered by many to be a waste of roster space. A former Defensive Player of the Year candidate and two-time All-Star, Hibbert has had a well-known fall from grace. After rising to stardom with the Indiana Pacers, then not being able to get to the promise land, subsequently falling out of favor with the legend, Larry Bird, and being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers while having the worst statistical season of his career, Hibbert gets a much-needed change of scenery with an up-and-coming team.

Now, granted that he didn’t do too well on a selfish and talent deficient Lakers team, there is much to be desired from the 7’2” big man. The Hornets now have a defensive center who’s starving for a chance to relive the days past. With a defensive minded Head Coach and a Hall of Fame Associate Head Coach in Patrick Ewing, Hibbert could be in the perfect position to resurrect his career.

Paired with Batum’s distribution as well as the Hornet’s knack for shooting, Hibbert could see a leap in points per game and rebounding with his new squad. A possible career of resurgence or failure depends on how this season ends for Hibbert, and with the success of the team lately under Rich Cho, it’s quite possible that Hibbert could become a player that many fans didn’t expect.

With the conclusion, the Hornets may look different, but the opportunity is still available. With a possible defensive center, a re-signed Frenchman and combo-forward, a capable sixth-man and a healthy Kemba and MKG, the team fully has a chance to build upon the success of last year.

Next: Takeaways From Charlotte's Third Summer League Game

So, with a few more weeks of free agency, a few more roster spots and a new D-League team to fill, the Hornets are crafting a wonderful tapestry in the city of Charlotte. The boys in teal and purple have a masterplan. Only the outcome is left to be seen. I leave you with a projected lineup for the upcoming season.

PG: Walker/Sessions/Harrison(D-League)

SG: Batum/Bellinelli/Daniels

SF: Kidd-Gilchrist/Lamb

PF: Williams/Kaminsky

C: Hibbert/Zeller/Hawes

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