James Borrego isn’t satisfied with his options at center and he hasn’t been since he took over as Hornets coach three years ago, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, P.J. Washington and Vernon Carey have all seen time in middle this season, but none of them has been outstanding. Washington will probably be the starter for the rest of the season, Bonnell adds, but he’s a natural power forward at 6-7 and likely isn’t the long-term answer.
“Every night I’m just trying to figure it out with that group. It’s been like that for three years,” Borrego said after watching his team get outrebounded 54-33 in a loss to the Celtics this week. “It may be another three years that we continue to look like that, actually. … Just trying to piece it together.”
General manager Mitch Kupchak was interested in James Wiseman in last year’s draft, but the Warriors grabbed him with the second pick. Charlotte may not be in the lottery this year, but the club will have about $30MM in cap room when free agency begins. Bonnell suggests targeting Kings center Richaun Holmes or trying to trade for Pacers center Myles Turner.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- With LaMelo Ball returning tonight from a fractured wrist, Nekias Duncan of Basketball News examines how the Hornets‘ dynamic rookie impacts the game through play-making, scoring and defense.
- Heat guard Victor Oladipo may be getting closer to playing, even though he didn’t accompany the team on its weekend road trip, tweets Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Oladipo hasn’t played since hurting his knee in an April 8 game, and the team hasn’t provided much information about a possible return. However, coach Erik Spoelstra said Oladipo is “making progress,” according to a tweet from the team. Tyler Herro, who continues to have issues with his injured foot, missed the road trip as well, notes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (via Twitter).
- Magic head coach Steve Clifford continues to be sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, but acting coach Tyrone Corbin said Clifford “feels great,” tweets Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel. Corbin said Clifford is still not showing any symptoms of the virus and his oxygen numbers remain good.
Drummond could of helped Hornets. They should go after him in FA. He’s no max center but he’s worth a good salary. 15-20 mill 5 yrs To them.
I honestly don’t think Drummond will get more than a 2/20 unless he provides some playoff magic this summer
Drummond over Dedmon,Bamba, Bagley???
No center in this FA class is worth spending more than half of your cap on. In this new NBA I just don’t get why teams are so worried about the center position. They rarely play in the finals.
The thing is to get a two way big. Boring bigs like Byombo,Capella etc get completing neutralized in playoff games when opposing teams go small. To have a Turner,Bamba,Bagley(bigs who can space the floor) is what’s in now. Sure Bagley has to get better on D but anyone would take him over alot of these bigs who only clog the lanes.
Bamba? Lmao. Turner got schooled by a non spacing big(bam) in the playoffs last year. The theis, bam’s of the worlds are what’s in. Not those injury prone trees.
Staggering how dumb the Warriors were for picking Wiseman over Ball if Kerr was never planning on playing him at 4 with Draymond at 5. Huge screw up all round. Wiseman probably a breakout superstar in Charlotte too. Ball is a high IQ note-perfect Kerr rotation player.
Hindsight 20/20 …nobody thought Melo would transfer so seamlessly….But Yes the idea of LaMelo setting up Klay and Steph would have scared the hell outta me for years in the West …Coulda preserved Steph a bunch too
Holmes is just the ticket and Turner will likely move too.
Been wanting Turner in Cha for a long time, Holmes is also a good fit too Imo….they should outbid the cap strapped folks on McGee or Noel as a b/u too to get some extra beef in the middle
Guards and wings pretty set, I like PJ at 4 but 5’s not his bag…Graham or a cheaper Monk will be a call to make, I like um both but guess they ride with Monk for cheaper …they prolly let 1 walk or S&T
Holmes or Bamba would make more sense.
I’m sure the Hornets are reeeeeallly regretting not having Wiseman available at #3…
He’s not satisfied??? So why did he not trade for Whiteside? Make an offer for Bagley or Bamba??? All these owners/GM’s do the most crying but don’t actually make moves!