The Hornets had a 27-55 record last season, 16 fewer victories than the previous season, but they’ve been relatively quiet this summer.
Perhaps the biggest news to come out of Charlotte this offseason was Michael Jordan’s decision to sell his majority stake in the team. The roster looks much like it did at the end of last year.
The most significant developments were signing LaMelo Ball to a five-year max extension and getting the No. 2 pick in the draft. The Hornets used the No. 2 selection on Brandon Miller, who will likely jump right into the starting lineup at one of the forward spots.
Miles Bridges, who missed all of last season due to legal issues, accepted his qualifying offer as he tries to rebuild his value en route to becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. Bridges and Miller could form the starting forward duo, though Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington may have something to say about that. Shoulder, hamstring and ankle injuries limited Hayward to 50 games last season but he started every game he was in uniform.
Washington remains a restricted free agent, though it appears the most likely outcome is that he also accepts his qualifying offer or works out a new deal with the Hornets.
Terry Rozier and Cody Martin — limited to seven games last season due to knee issues — are 1-2 on the depth chart at shooting guard, though Bridges could see some time there. Everything revolves around Ball and the Hornets will be much more dangerous if he can stay on the court. The star point guard was limited to 36 games last season. Nick Smith Jr, the team’s other first-round pick, could emerge as his backup.
That leads us to today’s topic: What do you think of the Hornets’ offseason? With the return of Bridges and the addition of No. 2 overall pick Miller, are they a playoff team this upcoming season? Or are they destined for another trip to the lottery?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Poor offseason.
Miller at 2 has big question marks although I like the kid. Bridges returning still has question marks all over it. Now they aren’t working with PJ on a new deal. It’s like the FO just hung all the phones, shut up shop and left after the season was done.
This team is still to immature, inexperienced, lacking leadership and looks like no one is making decisions off the court either. Looks destined to just run it back and finish poorly yet again.
Look at the teams around them, Detroit I think will improve with Cade coming back.
Orlando drafted well and had promising moments. Wizards had a great offseason turning things around. Chicago will fall down the rankings but they have experience and leadership…
The 3 biggest things are as follows:
1. Trade Terry Rozier and Cody Martin to clear their contracts and get back something expiring to make a run next offseason with Haywards expiring money also.
2. Make a decision in regards to your young forwards. Do you extend Bridges and keep him long term? Do you retain PJ and if so why are you kicking him around now?
3. You can’t expect LaMelo to do run this team without help. He’s a phenomenal talent but needs someone to help him and make his life easier.
How to do these things
1. I’d try go Rozier, Martin, Bouknight and 2 seconds for DeRozan and Drummond.
Rozier partners LaVine, Martin adds forward depth and Bouknight is a young talent to develop plus picks. Hornets get back experience and leadership. Ball doesn’t have to be the leader he can just play his game. Drummond also offers a mentor to those young bigs aswell.
If not Chicago, try Miami.
Rozier, Martin and Kai Jones for Kyle Lowry, Jamie Jacquez and a protected first.
Maybe Miami give up on Dame and Terry can provide the ball handling, and shooting skills the require. Martin links back up with his brother and gives them depth as does Kai Jones. Hornets get less of a return in playing power but Lowry does take a key leadership role and also provides a huge expiring deal for the offseason while banking a pick.
Secondly in regards to the forwards, I’m wiping the slate clean and letting them both leave. Miller fills the SF position and that means heading into next season you need to add a PF to play next to him. Can try do something via a trade, FA or the draft. Save your money by not investing in them unless they preform insanely well with Miller which I doubt.
3 kinda slices itself in the Rozier/Martin trade but you could also do more in just adding a locker room vet for his presence. James Johnson or John Wall could come in for next to nothing. Don’t need to play unless needed but take a huge load off Ball, help the youngins with development and set a much better atmosphere for a professional team
A run at what in free agency ?
Can you provide a list of free agents that you’d target with the open cap ? Ones that fit and have a high likelihood of signing there next season ? I don’t see it
Also the bulls have 5 guards under contract next year ; what’s there angle here w Roz ?
Patrick Williams, Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, Devin Vassell, Josh Green, Gary Trent Jr, Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Christie and Talen Hortan-Tucker ….
Say you have Hayward plus another 30 from DD or Lowry in expiring deals you’d then be looking at around 80-90 mil to spend in FA.
Now a lot of those guys might get rookie scale extensions early and be off the market but some might not. I doubt PatWill get lakers that offered to him and I think he could be a terrific fit as a 3 and D forward next to Miller. Then to go with that I’d suggest a SG to pair with Ball. GTJ offers some shooting and isn’t awful defensively. Vassell has terrific upside, Josh Green would offer some more defence, Max Christie is primed for a breakout campaign and an underdog but THT I think could also work.
As for the Bulls, I think they are stupid. Why resign White and Ayo and also get Carter? Balls out so he doesn’t count and Caruso is more of a SG/SF now. White Ayo and Carter all all 2nd stringers at best meaning they still need a starting PG and personally I like Terry and Zach as a duo together
Creo que a los Hornets les hace falta un buen entrenador, asi como lo hicieron los Kings.
Les Hornets ont connu leur meilleure saison en 2015-16 depuis l’ère Dave Cowens sous Clifford et il n’est revenu qu’une saison, difficile de vraiment dire s’il est un bon entraîneur ou non.
Playoffs? We talkin bout playoffs?
Keepers – Bridges (yep), Melo, Miller, one of Richards and Williams, Nick Smith Jr., McGowens
Make a trade for KAT or get involved Heat/Blazers deal and take Herro.
Melo, Herro, Miller, Bridges, Richards/Williams
or
Melo, Miller, Bridges, PJ, KAT
Sign and trade PJ for Dorian Finney-Smith.
He’s a versatile defender and doesn’t need the ball much. PJ will reunite w/ his college teammate Tyler Herro (if he’s traded from Miami) & he’s also close with DSJ when he’s in Charlotte. Im sure he’ll accept below $20M coz of these factors plus he can play with Cam Johnson & Mikal on small ball lineups
Bridges Johnson Washington would be cool.
DFS wouldn’t be a huge loss, Washington adds more for a younger team looking to get better
Should of let Bridges, bouknight, Washington and Thor walk. Trade Hayward Rozier and Simmons for expiring contracts and picks. They need a young PF and SG. Sign and trade Washington, Bridges and bouknight with picks to Houston for Smith jr and Porter jr and Jeff Green(when Green can be traded). Sign veterans on the bench. Rebuild done and compete next year. Draft Holland and move Miller to SG. Rest LaMelo. Find a good coach like McMillan.
Trade their Smith jr to Houston in the deal
Poor off season is being nice…
Over paid for LaMelo…
Did relatively nothing of note outside of that except for passing on Scoot… And bringing back a felon…
They’re gonna be a long shot for the play in…
This organization is a joke. I hope the new owners keep MJ’s input to a minimum and realize that they own the team. Get rid of the GM and Head Coach. Hire people who can evaluate talent. All of last year was wasted because of the sale. Who would fire a coach and the rehire the same man. I wonder about this year’s draft. Draft the best available player. We need a clean slate in the front office.