3 Potential offseason targets to help Hornets improve on the fringe
By Adam Taylor
At present, most of the discussions surrounding the Charlotte Hornets are centered on what they should do with the 2nd overall draft pick and who they should target in trades that could see Terry Rozier or Gordon Hayward heading in the opposite direction.
However, in order for the Charlotte Hornets to truly improve, they will also need to upgrade on the fringes. Finding reliable role players who can provide a consistent contribution off the bench will be vital for the Hornets’ chances of improving the outlook of their roster.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways that Mitch Kupchak can add fringe talent to support the team’s starting cast. From finding a gem in the latter part of the draft, adding a reliable veteran in free agency, or making a smaller trade to bolster the rotation – Kupchak has plenty of options.
Should adding fringe talent be a priority for the Hornets?
With so many exciting things expected for the Hornets this summer, it’s hard to get pumped up over minimal roster transactions. After all, the chance to add Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller is a genuine franchise-altering move. Hearing trade rumors regarding Deandre Ayton or Jonathan Kuminga allows us to dream of a brighter future, too.
Yet, role players can be important contributors to a team’s chances of success. Look at the impact Josh Hart made for the New York Knicks after joining around the February 9 trade deadline. Or how the Boston Celtics star players urged their head coach to give Grant Williams more minutes during the playoffs.
So, while adding a fringe player is far less exciting than drafting a top-3 talent or bringing in a highly-touted prospect who has struggled for development time and/or impact on their current team, fixing the fringes can be wildly productive.
But who could the Hornets target to improve their fringe rotation? Let’s dive in!