Swarm and Sting
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The top-three free agent signings in Charlotte Hornets history

By Elijah Edwards

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Michael Jordan, Owner of Charlotte Hornets speaks to media during the press conference before the match between Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games China at Universiade Centre on October 11, 2015 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Michael Jordan, Owner of Charlotte Hornets speaks to media during the press conference before the match between Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games China at Universiade Centre on October 11, 2015 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 21: Al Jefferson #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 21, 2016 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) /

Big Al played just three seasons in Charlotte, but his impact was a very significant one.

The most recent notable signing is Al Jefferson and he may be the biggest name in terms of free-agent hauls the team has ever made. The 6’10” big man was virtually a household name among those who followed the sport, having a very solid career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz before landing in Charlotte as a Bobcat back in 2013.

As mentioned before, most of the big names Charlotte has had came from the NBA Draft or were the result of trades, so when Charlotte was able to land the center who was basically a walking 20 and 10 at the time, fans in the Queen City felt as if the team was becoming a major player among the big dogs in the NBA.

Jefferson immediately made his impact felt as he led the young upstarts to a 22-game improvement over the following season, winning 43 games and pushing the Bobcats to the playoffs as a seventh seed. He would also be named All-NBA.

That team would lose in four games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, but Big Al was the leader of what many believed was the beginning of a perennial playoff team, especially with the surging play of point guard Kemba Walker alongside him.

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Alas, it was not, as injuries would stymie Jefferson for the next two seasons. He was still productive in his second season, but he missed almost 20 games and it showed as his stat-line fell almost across the board.

The next season would prove even more frustrating as the aging center would deal with even more injuries and as Kemba Walker emerged as an All-Star, the superstar would play his last game as a Hornet in 2016, scoring just 12 points a game while only starting in 18 games that entire year.

Jefferson still ranks 8th in points per game in team history and 6th in rebounds per game. He also ranks 9th in blocks per game and 3rd all-time in PER.

Regardless of his downfall, Hornets fans everywhere love Al Jefferson to this day and he and Kemba made what could easily be described as one of the best duos the franchise has ever known.

The final signing in our list is one many people might overlook, but he played a significant role in what may be the best Hornets team of all time.

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