The Charlotte Hornets have had themselves a quiet offseason, which consisted of one trade, one key free-agent acquisition, and the 2017 NBA draft.
The Dwight Howard trade
The biggest move of the offseason for Charlotte was the trade for Dwight Howard. Before free agency began, the Hornets acquired Howard and the 31st overall pick in the 2017 draft from the Atlanta Hawks for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee, and the 41st overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Although Howard’s golden years are well beyond him, the Hornets may be a solid fit for the old-fashioned big man.
Howard is one of the few big men in the league that likes playing in the paint, unlike other big men that are mostly around the perimeter. Perhaps the Hornets could get the best out of the veteran big and possibly resurrect his career.
Maybe Kemba Walker and Howard could co-exist like Walker, and Al Jefferson did when the team made a playoff appearance in 2016. After all, Jefferson was a low-post big man and flourished alongside Walker and under head coach Steve Clifford.
Free agency move
During free agency, the only significant move the Hornets made was the signing of Michael Carter-Wiliams, who figures to play backup to Kemba Walker. Carter-Williams signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract, which is a bargain deal considering all the contracts that were signed this summer.
Although he struggles offensively, the 25-year-old point guard has terrific size and provides solid defense.
The 2017 NBA draft
After trading Belinelli to the Hawks, the Hornets needed to retain some of their shooting guard depth, which they did in the draft. Somehow, Malik Monk fell to the Hornets with the 11th overall pick.
The 19-year-old will most likely come off the bench and should provide plenty of scoring, which is what he was known for in college.
The Hornets didn’t make any other crucial moves other than signing a couple of undrafted players to two-way and training camp deals. However, they quietly upgraded their roster and could quite possibly contend for a playoff spot this season, especially since the East became weaker.
Roster Outlook
PG: Kemba Walker/Michael Carter-Williams/Marcus Paige/T.J. Williams SG: Nicolas Batum/Jeremy Lamb/Malik Monk/Dwayne Bacon SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist/Marvin Williams/Treveon Graham PF: Frank Kaminsky/Johnny O’Bryant/Isaiah Hicks C: Dwight Howard/Cody Zeller/Mangok Mathiang Coach: Steve Clifford
Offseason Grade: C
