Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets in for a Quiet Free Agency Period This Summer

By Jerry Stephens

Mar 26, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; A basketball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Suns 120-106. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; A basketball lays on the court during a timeout in the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Suns 120-106. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Unless the Charlotte Hornets make a trade this offseason, expect the team to be rather quiet once free agency begins this summer.

In Bobby Marks’ summer agenda for the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA Front Office Insider said to “Expect a quiet summer for the Hornets when free agency begins.” That is because the team has little to no wiggle room with their current cap situation. Although, this does not mean that they can’t make a big move as trades are always a viable option.

Taking a closer look at the Hornets’ salary cap heading into the offseason, the team’s current roster totals $102.1 million in guaranteed contracts. The NBA’s salary cap is projected to be set at only $102 million. This means that Charlotte will only have an $8.4 million Mid-Level Exception and a $3.2 million bi-annual exception to spend in free agency.

With those exceptions, the team will likely target a backup point guard and a rim protecting big man as general manager, Rich Cho, has already stated that those are priorities this summer. Unless they create space by making some trades, the Hornets won’t have a chance at signing Stephen Curry or Blake Griffin. Still, they will have their opportunities to agree to deals with quality role players.

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Luckily for Charlotte, there is more than one way to add talent. They will not only be able to sign players in free agency but also be active on the trade market as well as during the draft. The Hornets hold both their first and second-round pick in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. Their first round pick will be in the lottery and with a loaded draft class, they have a chance to select a potential star.

Rich Cho is also known for making trades over the last few summers like the deals for Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb. He will likely be looking to do the same again this offseason as the Hornets should be active in the trade market.

Even if the free agency period is quiet for Charlotte, that may not be a bad thing. The Hornets only missed the playoffs by five games in the Eastern Conference and they were a top four team for the first quarter of the season. If they can stay healthy and add a few pieces to their current squad, that might be enough for them to get back into the postseason.

Next: Hornets Should Look to Trade for Kanter

Just simply in terms of free agency, the Charlotte Hornets will be quiet because of their cap situation. Still, it will be interesting to see who they sign with their MLE and bi-annual exception. They might not get a star player but maybe they can find a cheaper option that could be a consistent contributor like they did with Jeremy Lin two years ago.

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