What’s the Charlotte Hornets plan for their Unrestricted Free Agents?

Dennis Smith Jr. was a surprise signing that electrified a fan base in desperate need of something to cheer for and believe in. He will be an unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year deal with the Hornets. Smith was contemplating retiring from the NBA altogether to go play in the NFL. Instead, after a year that showed how capable he was as a defender and distributor, he will likely end up extending his basketball career. Given that he’s a native of North Carolinian, and his skill set, it makes all the sense in the world to bring him back.

He was able to put pressure on opposing defenses by attacking the rim. Smith used his athleticism to collapse the opposition and find his teammates for open looks. That same athleticism that had him ready to play in the secondary for a professional football team, made him a fantastic defender for the Charlotte Hornets. Having a point-of-attack defender like Smith gives flexibility to a team that has a starting backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier–neither of whom are renowned for their defensive prowess.