5 Free agent targets for Hornets who are perfect fits with LaMelo Ball
By Jack Simone
4. Nicolas Claxton
Switching it up from the wings and guards of the first four list items, Nicolas Claxton would help the Charlotte Hornets by bringing some added depth at the center position.
Despite being hurt for the majority of last season, Mark Williams is still the Hornets’ center of the future. But just because he’s going to be the lead guy at the five spot doesn’t mean the Hornets shouldn’t add more guys.
Nick Richards just wrapped up the best season of his career. He played more minutes, averaged more points, and grabbed more rebounds than ever before. But Claxton would be a huge upgrade.
Claxton’s defensive presence alone would take the Hornets’ bench to the next level, and if Williams gets hurt again, he could seamlessly step into the starting lineup on any given night.
Plus, at just 25 years old, he would be another part of the Hornets’ core moving forward. With his defense and lob-catching ability, he’d be great next to LaMelo Ball.
Unfortunately, it seems very likely that the Brooklyn Nets will try to keep him around this summer, and since the Hornets can only give him their MLE, they probably don’t have a good chance of bringing him aboard. But they should try.