Terry Rozier’s new deal still keeps Charlotte Hornets on the right track
By Jason Huber
Extending Terry Rozier gives the Charlotte Hornets more depth in the backcourt
To pay a player as much money as the Hornets did with Terry Rozier‘s new contract, you’re telling fans that he is one of the key building blocks of the franchise.
In his two years in Charlotte, Rozier has been one of the team’s most consistent players and has shown up in big moments when needed most.
The argument against this is that the Hornets just invested a high draft pick this offseason in guard James Bouknight, who many experts say could turn into an elite talent in the NBA.
Expectations are that Bouknight will eventually play well enough to be a starter just as Ball did last year when he leapfrogged Devonte’ Graham.
Assuming all goes to plan with Ball, Rozier would be the starting shooting guard that Bouknight would have to replace. It’s a similar situation as last season, but Bouknight is now just in Graham’s midseason role.
https://twitter.com/T_Rozzay3/status/1428422477735100417
The good news is that the Hornets don’t have to make that decision yet if they don’t want to. Not only would it look bad to bench a guy making $25 million a year, but Bouknight is under Charlotte’s control for each of those years before his rookie contract even ends.
That means the Hornets can have Bouknight be an elite scorer coming off the bench with the option of head coach James Borrego using a completely small-ball lineup with Ball, Rozier, and Bouknight when he pleases.
If Bouknight ends up being the more superior by year three or four of Rozier’s deal, then the good news is Charlotte can lock up Bouknight as the long-term shooting guard with Rozier coming off the books.
The NBA has become a small-ball league and if each of these players lives up to their potential, the Hornets might have one of the league’s best backcourt.