Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets: Top-10 Moments of 2016 for Buzz City

By Jerry Stephens

Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Dec 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (7) is guarded by Charlotte Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (21) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (7) is guarded by Charlotte Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (21) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Hornets Let Al Jefferson Walk in Free Agency

July 1st, 2016

When the Charlotte Hornets first signed Big Al in 2013, the organization was the laughing stock of the NBA. A big name player like Jefferson signing with the team was a major turning point in the franchise’s direction. They ended up reaching the playoffs in two of the three years that he was in the Queen City.

Live Feed

2023-24 Euroleague Season: Format, schedule, predictions, and more
2023-24 Euroleague Season: Format, schedule, predictions, and more /

FanSided

  • Knicks News: Quentin Grimes named to USA Select Team, Kemba Walker signs deal Daily Knicks
  • Does playing in Europe mean the end for Kemba Walker? Hoops Habit
  • Top 5 Free Agent Signings in Boston Celtics History Hardwood Houdini
  • Puzzling Boston Celtics free agent reunion pitched by NBA writer Hardwood Houdini
  • NBA Rumors: Lakers possibly considering adding another undersized PG Lake Show Life

    • After years of excellent scoring and valued leadership, the Hornets decided to move on from Big Al and they let him leave in the summer of 2016 as he was an unrestricted free agent. Charlotte didn’t even attempt to re-sign the veteran big man as there was a changing of the guard with the team moving in a new direction. It was difficult to see Jefferson leave because of how much he meant and brought to the organization but it was also great because it shows just how far he helped bring them.

    Jefferson ended up signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Indiana Pacers in the offseason as he found a new home outside of Charlotte. The team needed what Big Al brought to the table over the past three years but as they continue to grow, he was starting to get weeded out of the offense. With all of the free agents that they needed to re-sign, the aging center was the easy choice to let go.

    This was the second biggest offseason move that Charlotte made. Even though the impact was felt less because of Jefferson’s diminishing production, what he meant to the growing franchise was much bigger. This wasn’t a shock move in 2016 but it was still huge because Big Al became a Hornets’ legend in three short years.

    Home/Hornets News