Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets’ salary cap outlook, Potential big men to draft
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Game One of the NBA Finals this year is set to get underway tonight as the Golden State Warriors‘ host the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ salary cap outlook, potential big men for the team to draft in the first round and the possibility of trading for Brook Lopez.
Hornets’ salary cap outlook (HoopsRumors.com)
"The Hornets’ guaranteed salaries, plus cap holds for their first-round pick and two empty roster spots, total $106,677,173, putting the team over the cap. So, barring a significant change in direction, Charlotte is unlikely to dip below the cap this summer."
Once Charlotte renounces the right’s to Brian Roberts and Christian Wood, they should save around $2.8 million. Also, when Ramon Sessions‘ team-option is officially declined, that will save about $6.2 million. Still, that won’t be enough to create any real cap space as the players with guaranteed deals total $102 million.
After the Hornets bring back Briante Weber, Treveon Graham and Johnny O’Bryant, which they should because each player is on a cheap contract, the team will be well over the salary cap. That means that they will only have a Mid-Level Exception to spend in free agency this offseason. Barring any major trades, this should be a quiet summer for Charlotte.
Potential big men to draft in the first round (NBA.com)
"While the Charlotte Hornets could elect to choose a guard with the 11th overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft, there are also a number of promising forwards and centers who could be available when the organization is on the clock."
Sam Perley named Lauri Markkanen, Zach Collins, OG Anunoby, Ike Anigbogu, Jarrett Allen, John Collins, Justin Patton and Ivan Rabb as possible big men/forwards for the Hornets to take in the first round with the 11th overall pick. Collins has been the player most linked to Charlotte leading up to the draft but Markkanen has been falling to them as of late. Rabb would be the only reach out of this group and even then, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch as he was a top prospect last year.
As for the rest, they are all possible options. Although Charlotte already has Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky and Miles Plumlee on their roster, they could still use a young big man with potential because that is something that they currently lack. Unless the team sees Kaminsky and Zeller as their starting big men for years to come, then they should seriously think about taking one of these prospects.
Could Charlotte trade for Brook Lopez? (EliteSportsNY.com)
"Charlotte holds a lottery pick in this year’s draft, set to pick at 11th overall. This pick will likely attract Brooklyn and would sell them on a trade for Lopez."
Next: Hornets' GM scouts prospects at Roc Nation pro day
While Lopez would be a good addition to the Hornets by offering consistent low post scoring, the price may be too much for Charlotte. They shouldn’t trade the 11th overall pick and the chance to take a young prospect for the Brooklyn Nets’ big man as he is already 29-years old. Although if they do decide to make a deal, a trade involving the 11th pick, Miles Plumlee and Marco Belinelli could be enough to get Brook, the 22nd overall and the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft.