Hornets head coach James Borrego has developed a notable recruiting pitch for impending free agents this summer, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes.
Charlotte is slated to have a respectable amount of salary-cap space after the season, allowing the team to consider multiple talents that are set to reach the open market.
“I feel like basically every guy we’ve drafted has shown some real promise for us,” Borrego explained this past week, as relayed by Bonnell. “What that leads into is what an attractive place this could be for free agents moving forward.”
The Hornets are establishing a proven track record of developing talent, currently sporting a young core that consists of Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, and more. Charlotte showed flashes of potential with its young nucleus prior to the NBA’s hiatus. However, the team was just 23-42 on the season, the sixth-worst record in the East.
“Absolutely!” Borrego said when asked if his team’s pitch could attract free agents this summer. “Players are looking at (salary) numbers and years — that’s a major factor — but they want to go to a place where they can maximize growth and development. We’re putting a good body of work together to show that.”
Here are some other notes from the Southeast Division:
- Heat center Bam Adebayo chimed in on social media amidst the NBA’s hiatus, as relayed by Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Adebayo understandably expressed boredom with the league being suspended indefinitely. The 22-year-old has averaged 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 65 contests on the season.
- Ira Winderman examines the week that could’ve been for the Heat in a separate article for the Sun Sentinel, including the rematch between Jimmy Butler and T.J. Warren on March 20. Miami has enjoyed a successful season to date, owning the fourth-best record in the East at 41-24.
- Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington takes a look at what different Wizards players are doing during the NBA’s hiatus. As Miller notes, many players are enjoying personal activities such as playing video games, watching movies, or watching TV shows.
Hornets will end up overpaying those dudes.
“The Hornets have a proven track record of developing talent” hahahahah
Malik Monk 11th overall
Frank Kaminsky 9th overall
Noah Vonleh 9th overall
Cody Zeller 6th overall
Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist 2nd overall
They didn’t do anything with these guys and have stuck for years and years and the 1 good player they have had Kemba Walker they never built around him and then didn’t offer him a good deal when he had earned it.
Hornets are a joke of a team
Hornets: “Yeah, we do a great job in developing our players!”
Free agent: “Oh ok…. cool! Gimme a couple examples.”
Hornets: “Hey, that’s not important – just take our word for it!”
Hornets “so here the deal it’s 60mil over 4 years”
Free agent “so your saying I get paid the same amount as Ezekiel Elliot every year but I don’t even have to play more than 15 minutes per night”
They meant, recently. Borrego and Kupchak weren’t here for the previous trash. Not everyone needs to be so negative all the time, the last few picks have been moderate
All Hornets drafts… all good for their slots… lately.
2020: 12-PJ Washington, 32-Cody Martin, 52-Jalen Mcdaniels
2019: 11-Miles Bridges, 34-trade for Devontae Graham, 55-draftnstash Kulbova
2017 thru 2012: ouch
2011: 9-Kemba Walker, 19-Tobias Harris (promptly traded for Curly, Moe & Larry)
2010 thru 2001: ouch
Lately?
So you like it when a team drafts averagely for 2 years then stinks for the rest of the decade
To be fair, the current GM and coach have only been there for two years.
Exactly Luke! People lack perspective, is not about the team, the actual regime is only there from last year, who cares about before, you can’t blame them for it. I actually think they done pretty well so far.