Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: The realistic and longshot free agent targets

By Joe Fisher

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons pulls in a rebound in front of Troy Brown Jr. #6 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons pulls in a rebound in front of Troy Brown Jr. #6 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Realistic

Players in this category aren’t out of reach.

Christian Wood, PF

There are few players who boosted their stock before lockdown more than Christian Wood. He averaged 22.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in Detroit’s last 15 games. The former G-League product took on a bigger role after Andre Drummond was traded to Cleveland.

At 6’10, Wood might be redundant with P.J. Washington in the lineup, but with size and position becoming more flexible it isn’t unreasonable to put both on the floor together. He doesn’t carry the name value or pedigree of a Davis or Harrell, and with the league losing revenue owners will be less likely to pay big for mid-tier players. But Wood is a candidate to outplay the contract he receives given the opportunity.

Jerami Grant, SF/PF

With Nicolas Batum on the backend of his contract and Charlotte looking to the future without him, a rangey wing with positional versatility is a big need. Jerami Grant can offer that but it will come at a cost.

Grant has dedicated himself defensively, being deployed against some of the toughest matchups in the league at the three and four spots. He shined in the Western Conference Finals, highlighted by a 26-point outing in game 3. Denver will look to bring him back but he has a player option to test free agency. With his stock on the rise the last two seasons it is likely he bets on himself and cashes in.

Derrick Jones Jr., SF 

As Shams Carania of the Athletic recently reported, the Hornets have shown interest in adding Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr. Pairing the dunk champion with fellow contestant Miles Bridges sounds like fun on paper, but as Swarm and Sting’s Joshua Matthews points out, the addition may not push the team forward.

Jones Jr. certainly flashes, but his 8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds on an average 23 minutes per game last season leaves something to be desired. Nevermind Heat coach Erik Spoelstra phasing him out of the lineup in the playoffs and Finals. He is raw, young and full of potential which is undoubtedly enticing to a team that needs to hit on some hunches. It could be a boom or bust move.

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