Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Why the Charlotte Hornets Signing an Expensive Center is Counter-Productive

By Anthony Boscia

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 04: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at the Moda Center on March 04, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Washington Wizards, 125-105. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

The Charlotte Hornets may finally find themselves able to dig out of the hole they were in terms of cap space. Signing an overpriced big-man would put them right back where they were.

I was tempted to just write Nic Batum and leave it, but I feel like some actual analysis would probably be better. The Charlotte Hornets were just in Cap Hell and ended up letting their best player in franchise history basically walk in free agency because of it.

Shelling out big contracts to Nic Batum and to a lesser extent, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller, as well as paying Bismack Biyombo’s mammoth deal virtually tied the Hornets’ hands behind their back when it came time to paying Kemba.

With Marvin gone, Bis’ contract expiring, and Batum’s and Zeller’s deals set to expire after next season, the Hornets are almost clear from Salary Cap Hell. So why shell out the big bucks to a center who, if even, only *slightly* moves the needle. It’s just not worth it.

Especially when you consider Devonte’ Graham will have a significant pay rise coming up. Cap flexibility and re-signing the young core already in place should be prioritized overpaying a big free-agent that doesn’t really even have All-Star potential.

Keeping the money they already have and saving it would honestly be the best thing the Charlotte Hornets could do right now.

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