5 Former Hornets the team can re-sign this summer

5. Dennis Smith Jr.

It was with the Charlotte Hornets that Dennis Smith Jr. revived his NBA career. Unfortunately, he didn’t find the same success this past season with the Brooklyn Nets.

Smith was a big part of the Hornets’ rotation during the 2022-23 season, contributing solid defense and playing more minutes than he had in three years.

One of the biggest needs for this Hornets team is defense. For the past few years, they’ve been one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Readding Smith to the mix would definitely give them a boost on that end of the floor.

Though he’s a bit undersized, Smith has shown some promise as a point-of-attack defender, and his offensive creation has definitely improved since his early years in the league.

Smith didn’t get as much playing time in Brooklyn this past year, but he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning he’ll be free to sign with any team he wants.

A reunion in Charlotte could make a ton of sense for both sides, as Smith may relish the opportunity to head back to the team with which he revived his career. And considering he didn’t play super well with the Nets, Smith shouldn’t cost too much on the open market.