2021 Free Agency is underway and the Charlotte Hornets have been patient off the start line to bring players in. Yesterday, Charlotte made their first signing at 6 p.m. to bring in point guard Ish Smith on a $4.5 million deal. It would be surprising if this was the final move Charlotte made as the Hornets are one of the few teams who have just enough cap space to make one notable signing and maybe even add a veteran minimum player.
If the Hornets plan on using their remaining $13 million in cap space, Charlotte will have to waive either Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, or Jalen McDaniels.
Charlotte could still use a defensive-minded veteran center however it’s been reported that adding Kai Joens and Mason Plumlee to a roster that already has PJ Washington, Vernon Carey Jr., and Nick Richards likely means that Charlotte isn’t targeting any centers during this free-agent window.
Another area of need Charlotte needs to address is wing depth. Charlotte has very few players who would classify as a wing. Adding a veteran to fill this hole could go a long way for the Hornets this season. Here are two players that Charlotte could bring in the next few days to complete the roster.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – Golden St. Warriors – Forward – 25
Kelly Oubre Jr. makes all the sense in the world for the Hornets. At just 25 years old Oubre is entering his seventh season in the NBA and would be looking for his fourth team.
Oubre was drafted by the Washington Wizards and then traded to the Phoenix Suns for Trevor Ariza as the Wizards made a last-ditch effort to bring in veteran players to try and make a run in the playoffs. Oubre played very well in the 2019-20 season for the Suns averaging 18.7 points, and 6.4 rebounds per game. After having his season end early due to a knee injury Oubre was then traded again to Oklahoma City in the Chris Paul trade and then a few days later flipped to the Golden St. Warriors.
Many fans will remember Oubre’s rough start with the Golden State Warriors where he started the season historically bad from three-point range, but he’s a career average three-point shooter, shooting about 32% from behind the arc. Despite his shooting woes, Oubre finished the season averaging 15.4 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Oubre would have to accept a bench role on the Hornets as it’s highly unlikely he could come in and steal a starting spot from Gordon Hayward or Terry Rozier on the wing but at this stage in free agency that’s likely Oubre’s only option. The Hornets are one of the few teams who can give him the kind of money he may be looking for and being just 25 years old and having experience in the league, Oubre fits the vision that general manager Mitch Kupchak is trying to build.
Charlotte has the ability to create space for a four-year $63.6 million deal if Oubre were to choose to join the Hornets.