Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: Looking back at pivotal offseason decisions

By Noah Purser

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center on January 12, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – MAY 1: Al Jefferson #25 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MAY 1: Al Jefferson #25 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Miami Heat in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2016 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Al Jefferson

Though the Charlotte front-office certainly made one of the more notable signings of 2013’s free-agency, signing Al Jefferson effectively and immediately ended the rebuild. Looking back, Al Jefferson was a key player in making Charlotte a relevant destination and likely led to some of the moves mentioned later on.

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Al Jefferson was 29-years-old when he signed with the Charlotte Hornets and was at the peak of his career. Averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds per game, Big Al was a monster for the Bobcats in his first season. However, he progressively got worse (as to be expected for an aging, old-school big man) and it made the defensive issues more prevalent later in his time in Charlotte. This ultimately led to his exit, after averaging just 12 points and six rebounds in his final season.

Truth be told, it’s hard to tell whether this was a smart move from Charlotte’s management. If they continued the rebuild into next season, the team was likely looking at a 30-win season, which would’ve resulted in a pick in the 7-9 range at that time. The team already had a draft pick from the Detroit Pistons (via a trade for Ben Gordon), later resulting in drafting Noah Vonleh. If the team had an additional top-10 pick, we could be looking at players such as Marcus Smart, Julius Randle or Nik Stauskas in a Hornet uniform.

So maybe the Hornets didn’t miss out on too much by acquiring Big Al, but this move essentially would put the Charlotte franchise on the infamous “treadmill of mediocrity” for the next five years. Nonetheless, Al Jefferson pushed the Bobcats to a playoff spot in his very first season, something that no person could have ever imagined two years prior.

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