The Charlotte Hornets Need to Bring Back Al Jefferson
The Charlotte Hornets lack a true low post scorer and it showed this season. Bringing back Al Jefferson could solve those problems.
In years past, the Charlotte Hornets have had a significant advantage in the offensive low post. While they have been a bit better in that category this season, their shooting percentages are down. The Hornets have been relying on the three ball and mid-range shots to fall more frequently. Charlotte has turned into a pick and role/shooting team, but when our shooters have poor nights, who must we turn to?
Even though this is the new direction of the NBA, you still need a consistent low post scorer that can get you a bucket when you need one most. That was Big Al’s specialty. Even when he had a down year last season, he still proved to be a quality backup to Cody Zeller and provided the second unit with an offensive threat down low, something that has been missing this campaign.
Having Cody Zeller in the starting lineup has brought a whole new style of play to the Hornets. He is very athletic but he does not possess the skills of a post scorer. With the team missing a lot of shots and not having a good consistent center off the bench, turning back to Big Al could be an option.
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Jefferson is currently signed to a three-year deal with the Indiana Pacers. He left this past summer when Charlotte chose not to re-sign him after spending three productive seasons in the Queen City. The Hornets chose to turn their attention to more important free agents and let Al walk and at the time, it was the right choice. The team was embracing a new style of play and moving on from Jefferson.
The 32-year old big man doesn’t appear to fit the scheme that Indiana runs. While he has not been offered a lot of minutes, he has not been able to get consistent shots to fall while coming off the bench. Only averaging 8.0 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, it seems as if both sides could use a change next year. And that’s where the Hornets come into play.
Why we need him back
We need to get Jefferson back for the sole reason of his offensive post play. None of our centers are good at making good post shots like Big Al. His fakes and smooth shooting lifted the Hornets in many nights. While Kemba Walker is the players who will carry the franchise going forward, Al did have a huge impact on organization’s success in the past and could help for a few more years.
He won’t be the player that he was a few seasons ago but he could help off of the bench. Just to put it into perspective, the Hornets are paying Miles Plumlee, who has only averaged 3.2 PPG and 4.0 RPG in five games with the team, $12.5 million over the next three years. Jefferson’s only making $10 million over the next two years.
With and Without Big Al:
Last Season: 37.8 Points in the Paint per game (29th in the NBA), 40.6% in the paint (11th in the league)
This Season: 40.4 PITP per game (25th in the NBA), 40.4% in the paint (22nd in the league)
Stats from NBA.com and TeamRankings.com
While these stats illustrate that the team has been better without Big Al, they don’t show the impact he has. Once Steve Clifford moved him to the bench last season, it opened up the paint for Kemba and other starters while adding a low post scorer to the second unit.
What will it take?
Getting him back may not be as hard as you think. While he has had a poor year with the Pacers, it is possible that he could be released into free agency at the end of the season. Although, that rarely happens so they shouldn’t be counting on that happening. While free agency may be a long shot, the Hornets could also make a trade.
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This trade would most likely have to consist of a second round pick and Center Miles Plumlee. It will be really difficult because Plumlee’s contract is considered to be one of the worst in the league. But maybe, just maybe, Charlotte can get Jefferson back to the Queen City.