Five Centers that the Charlotte Hornets Should Target in Free Agency?

Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) applies pressure to Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) applies pressure to Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) applies pressure to Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) applies pressure to Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

There will be plenty of great centers entering free agency during the off-season and the Charlotte Hornets should be looking to sign one of them.

The Charlotte Hornets’ weakest position was arguably at center. They didn’t get a lot of production out of Cody Zeller who was solid in his minutes but not great. Also, Al Jefferson was injured for most of the season and keeping him on the court has been an issue for the team

The center position could easily be a spot that the team will look to improve on in the off-season. There will be plenty of potential players that the Hornets could go after once they hit the open market. Charlotte will be looking to improve this summer while also maintaining a sense of continuity.

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General manager, Rich Cho, said that the team will be looking to “acquire more rebounding and physicality. In addition, Cho said, the Hornets could use a rim protector, a shot-blocking big man.” (Charlotte Observer) With the way that the NBA has evolved, an athletic big man who defends and rebounds is a top priority for most teams.

Cody Zeller was a decent option at center for the Hornets this past season but he might not be their long-term answer. Especially, if they can get a big name in free agency that could really help the team. We won’t know what is going to happen this summer but we can always speculate.

Here are the top five centers that I think the Charlotte Hornets should target in free agency this off-season:

Next: Number Five