Every year, every team in the NBA is looking to improve their roster in free agency, and the Charlotte Hornets are no exception. However, some squads have more money to make moves than others.
As the Hornets look to add pieces this summer, they will have to be working on a budget, as they don’t have a ton of money to spend in free agency.
There are plenty of guys who should be available on the open market, but it will be up to the Hornets to identify the ones who fit best with their team.
Here are five free agency targets the Hornets should add in an attempt to help them exceed the value they will be going for on the open market. If they succeed, the signings would be absolute steals.
1. Mo Bamba
After getting drafted by the Orlando Magic, Mo Bamba has been bouncing around from team to team, unable to stick in any one spot. But maybe the Hornets could change that.
Obviously, things haven’t worked out at the NBA level for Bamba yet, but with his length and three-point shooting abilities, there’s definitely an outline of a productive player there.
With Mark Williams leading the charge and not much behind him (outside of Nick Richards), the Hornets should have some minutes available in the rotation for the 26-year-old.
If they can finally get him to pop and give them solid production, then he would absolutely exceed the value of the contract they sign him to, which would almost definitely be a minimum deal.
2. Josh Okogie
After spending the past two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Josh Okogie could end up hitting the open market, and the Charlotte Hornets should show an interest in bringing him on board.
Okogie has never been a great three-point shooter, and that has been the reason he hasn’t stuck around in many places, but he’s a quality defender who always gives his best effort on that side of the floor.
That’s a guy the Hornets could use, as their defense has been subpar for many years. Plus, if they can work with Okogie on his shot, then he could end up being a steal.
3. James Wiseman
Similar to Mo Bamba, this type of deal would be a complete shot in the dark, as James Wiseman has also failed to stick around in his first couple of stops at the NBA level.
The former second-overall pick hasn’t been able to find his footing in the league since getting drafted one pick before LaMelo Ball a few years ago. 4. However, there are still flashes of talent there.
If the Hornets can help Wiseman find the rhythm that he has been unable to grasp with the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons, then it would be a massive win for the team.
4. Chuma Okeke
Through his first four years with the Orlando Magic, Chuma Okeke has slowly fallen out of the rotation, largely due to his inability to consistently shoot the three-ball.
However, Okeke has the perfect build to be an effective forward at the NBA level, and maybe the Hornets could be the team to help him get to that point in his career.
He’s already a solid defender and, at 6-foot-7, could easily slot in next to Brandon Miller for long stints. If Charlotte is willing to take the time with Okeke, it could end up being a solid long-term investment.
5. Svi Mykhailiuk
Why not go back to the same well that they dipped into a couple of years ago? Svi Mykhailiuk enjoyed a quality half-season in Charlotte during the latter portion of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Ukrainian wing is fresh off a championship with the Boston Celtics, and his assistant coach, Charles Lee, is set to take over the Hornets, where he played not long ago. There are connections there.
Obviously, Mykhailiuk isn’t the best defender, but he can shoot the ball at a high level and is an impressive ball-handler for his height (6-foot-7). It could be worth it for the Hornets to bring him back into the fold.