The Charlotte Hornets had a season of frustration. They had a few winning streaks, none more than five games, but they had as many losing streaks of a similar length. The Hornets only had the services of their franchise player, Gordon Hayward, for 49 of the possible 82 games, which had a severe impact on their playoff hopes.
The Hornets tried to improve their interior presence when they traded Vernon Carey and Ish Smith to the Washington Wizards, receiving Montrezl Harrell in return, a player they need to re-sign this offseason. This was a good move for the franchise. He not only gave them 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, but also a toughness that they were lacking.
They also signed the offensive talents of Isaiah Thomas, who was good for 8.3 points per game, but it was not enough. They were knocked out of the play-in tournament by the Atlanta Hawks, meaning they need to make the following moves.
5 roster moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason: 1. Pick up LaMelo Ball’s option
This is the most important member of the franchise moving forward is LaMelo Ball. The second-year point guard has shown how effective he is at running the offense with his ability to be able to create for himself and others. He has yet to develop into the finished product he will become, but his all-around ability sets the Hornets in good stead.
Ball has two years left on his rookie deal and next season is worth $8.6 million. This is cheap given that he averaged 20.1 points, 7.6 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 32.3 minutes per game. Securing his service for as long as possible is the smart move for the franchise.
5 roster moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason: 2. Pick up PJ Washington’s option and extend.
Over the first three seasons of his career, PJ Washington has served the Hornets well. He has averaged 11.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 29.3 minutes per game. It is this ability to fill up the box score which makes him so valuable.
He has also been valuable for the Hornets with his ability to space the floor. Over the past three seasons, Washington has been a tremendous shooter from behind the three-point line, shooting the long-ball at 37.5 percent, which is a really good number for a stretch-four.
At 6’7, Washington is an undersized power forward, but his energy and athleticism more than make up for his lack of size. This is evidenced by the fact he averages 5.7 rebounds per game on a team with a multitude of rebounding options.
Given the Hornets only have $108.7 million worth of contracts on their books, Washington’s $5.8 million gives them plenty of room to work with. They have some important players to re-sign and if they could lure a star free agent, then this team is poised for good things in the coming seasons.
Washington is also eligible for his rookie contract extension this offseason. If the Hornets can lock him in for the coming years then they will be in a good place.
5 roster moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason: 3. Re-sign Miles Bridges
Last season was a career year for Miles Bridges. His scoring average went up from 12.7 points per game last season to 20.2 points per game this season. He also had career-highs in rebounds, assists, and steals per game.
He had to step up, given that the Hornets had Hayward out with injury for such a long time this season. Hayward missed 33 games, which is simply too many for a team looking to make their mark.
The Hornets need to offer Bridges enough to keep him with the franchise but not too much to stop them from luring free agents to the franchise in coming years. They have still got the final season of Nicolas Batum’s stretched contract on their books for next year, but they may be able to back end the deal for Bridges.
At 24, Bridges is the right age to pair with the Hornets’ franchise point guard, LaMelo Ball. Add Washington to these other two, and they have a tremendous young core that will gain experience together and could take them deep in the playoffs for years to come.
5 roster moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason: 4. Trade Gordon Hayward
As mentioned earlier, Hayward is missing too many games for a $30 million franchise player on a team trying to become relevant. The Eastern Conference has become deeper and teams need all their best players on the floor if they are going to make a deep playoff run.
When the Hornets signed Hayward, they knew he was a risk. He played 52 games in his last season with the Celtics and then 44 games last season, his first with the Hornets. There is no doubt Hayward is a quality player, but he just needs to be on the court more to help his team.
Hayward has two years left on his deal, which would be perfect for a team down the bottom of the NBA standings. They are in a situation where they will not compete for the NBA Finals but it will give them time to convince Hayward to stay if he works out.
A team like the Detroit Pistons may be interested in trading Jerami Grant for Hayward, getting more playoff experience in the process. If they can get a lower-priced player back, they can use the extra cap space to sign Cody Martin to a well-deserved contract as well as attract other players.
5 roster moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason: 5. Trade Mason Plumlee
After signing with the Detroit Pistons as a free agent prior to the 2020-21 season, Mason Plumlee had a decent season with them. Then, the Hornets traded for the big man last offseason, and his production regressed back to his average.
He is still a tremendous passer for a big man, but this team is full of players who have the ability to find the open man and create for others. Where Plumlee is lacking is his interior defense. At 6’11, he is a big body, but he lacks the lateral quickness to challenge shots effectively.
Plumlee is due $8.5 million next season and given the lack of production in 24.6 minutes per game this year, Charlotte could get a much better bang for their buck. There are plenty of free-agent centers who could give the Hornets a better presence defensively in the paint.
One of these players is Harrell, whose energy and effort were really impressive for the Hornets after he came over via trade. If the front office were to offer the big man a long-term deal, this would not be a bad move for the franchise. He is a tremendous roll man and works incredibly hard on the glass at both ends of the court.