Charlotte Hornets: 4 takeaways from 2020-21 season

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 02: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Dewayne Dedmon #21 of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on May 02, 2021 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

The Charlotte Hornets need to address the glaring hole at center before the beginning of next season.

Why don’t we go ahead and start with the obvious? The Charlotte Hornets’ ceiling is only so high without a quality center. You’ve heard the narrative all season and you will continue to hear it until that glaring need is fulfilled. Just to paint a clearer picture of how desperate the team needs a big man, let’s look at some of the numbers.

The Hornets allowed 10.6 offensive rebounds per game to opponents, fourth-worst in the league. Due to the lack of size in the paint, they have been forced to double-team down low to limit the production of the opponent’s frontcourt players. This resulted in many wide-open three-point attempts, and the Hornets ranked second-worst in the NBA in three-pointers made by opponents at 14.5 per game.

With Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo set to hit free agency this offseason, there is no time to wait on acquiring talent to beef up the frontcourt. Although both Zeller and Biyombo have been great locker room presences for the young core, their on-court production has been average at best. Charlotte should consider re-signing both, but only on a cheap deal as a reserve.

Depending on who the Hornets decide to roll out as their starting center next season, we could see Charlotte poised to make a deep playoff run.

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