Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: Roster projections for the 2021-22 season

By Evan Birchmore

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: LaMelo Ball #2 and Devonte' Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets congratulate each other at the end of the first half against the Miami Heat 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)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: LaMelo Ball #2 and Devonte' Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets congratulate each other at the end of the first half against the Miami Heat 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) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on May 07, 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)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on May 07, 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) /

Projected departures: Bismack Biyombo, Brad Wanamaker

Of the Charlotte Hornets’ full roster, including two-way contracts, seven players will enter some form of free agency this summer. Of this group, three will be unrestricted free agents (Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, and Brad Wanamaker). With Charlotte looking to upgrade the center rotation this offseason, it seems likely that one or both of Zeller and Biyombo will depart. While Zeller will likely not get offers as high as his previous contract (approximately $15 million annually), he can still be a solid rotational piece and a valuable veteran presence. This past season, he led the team in rebounding while also having the second-highest player efficiency rating (18.41) and the second-highest plus-minus (+41). As the longest-tenured Hornets player, there would be value in having Zeller as a locker room presence and mentor for the team’s younger members. Zeller would be worth bringing back next season as a backup big man if it can be negotiated to a team-friendly deal. This would mean that Biyombo would be exiting Charlotte, freeing up space for younger players to contribute to the center rotation. While he did spend the majority of the season at the starting center position for Charlotte this past year, Biyombo had a below-average player efficiency rating (11.76) and the lowest plus-minus on the team (-276).  Wanamaker joined Charlotte in a midseason trade from the Golden State Warriors, and while he showed he can be a serviceable player, he does not appear to be in the long-term plan for Charlotte.

This leaves Malik Monk, Devonte’ Graham, Grant Riller, and Nate Darling as restricted free agents. Monk and Graham were significant parts of the rotation this past season and would provide value should they return. Graham was second on the team in assists with 5.4 per game and led the team in plus-minus at +98, while Monk raised his 3-point shooting percentage to 40.1% and showed flashes of scoring excellence, such as his 36-point performance against the Miami Heat. Charlotte also holds bird rights on both Monk and Graham, meaning that they can sign either player for up to 5 years, giving them an advantage over other interested teams.

Riller and Darling were both on two-way contracts and both spent time with the Greensboro Swarm in the G-League this past season. The most likely scenario would be for both to be retained to the 20-man offseason roster, in addition to the 15 players who will be on the active roster as well as the team’s three draft selections. Charlotte would then reduce the roster to 17 through G-League assignment, two-way contracts, and draft rights players (players selected in the NBA draft who are signed directly to the G-League affiliate).

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