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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets to trade or release Sessions, European teams interested in Roberts

By Jerry Stephens

Dec 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Ramon Sessions (7) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) go for a loose ball during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Ramon Sessions (7) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) go for a loose ball during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and greatest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

Dwight Howard was introduced as a member of the Charlotte Hornets as the team held a press conference for their newest acquisition. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the future of Ramon Sessions, two European teams interested in Brian Roberts and the top potential free agent target for Charlotte.

Hornets to trade or release Ramon Sessions (CharlotteObserver.com)

"Barring an extreme change in circumstance over the next few days, Sessions will either be traded or become a free agent. It’s sensible for the Hornets to wait until the deadline to inform the league of their intentions, in case Sessions’ contract could be included in some trade."

It hasn’t been a well-kept secret that Sessions’ time in Charlotte is all but over. Rich Cho has expressed multiple times that they need to go after a backup point guard in free agency. After a career-worst season, it is only a matter of time before he is officially off the team this summer.

The Hornets can either choose to decline his $6.2 million team option for next year. The latter looks like the more likely option as it is doubtful that they will find an opposing team willing to take on Ramon’s contract but it is still a possibility. Expect a final decision to be made soon as free agency is right around the corner.

European teams interested in Brian Roberts (Twitter/ @TrRumorsEu)

"Panathinaikos and Baskonia are eyeing on Brian Roberts.Not a priority for them though,just another name in their long lists"

Roberts has played for four different teams during his five years NBA career. He’s spent two and a half seasons with the Hornets appearing in 143 games. Although his time in the league may be up, Brian is reportedly getting interest from two top teams who finished in the top seven in EuroLeague last year.

If the 31-year old does choose to continue his career, Panathinaikos (Greece) and Baskonia (Spain) are viable options. The 6’1 point guard could earn a starting spot and flourish overseas as he would probably get more of an opportunity in Europe than he would in the NBA. Plenty of NBA players have transitioned to the EuroLeague and Roberts might be next in line to make that move.

Charlotte’s top potential free agent target (BleacherReport.com)

"Luc Mbah a Moute is a perfect fit. He proved to be a viable catch-and-shoot marksman with the Los Angeles Clippers, and his defensive range is deeper than advertised."

Next: Quinton Stephens to join Hornets for summer league

While Mbah a Moute would give the Hornets a quality two-way wing player, I don’t see it as an ideal fit. He would likely cost the team their MLE and they would be better suited to instead use that on a backup point guard. With MKG, Dwayne Bacon and Treveon Graham already on the roster, another forward isn’t necessarily what Charlotte needs.

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