5 Roster Moves The Charlotte Hornets Need To Make
1. Re-Sign Al Jefferson
The big man has been with the Hornets for three years. In that time Al Jefferson has seen his role diminish since he came across from Utah. In his first season with the Hornets, Jefferson averaged 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
The next year, Charlotte gave Jefferson more help with the addition of Marvin Williams and his numbers mostly dropped — 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
This season, Charlotte added Nicholas Batum and Jefferson had injuries and issues so his numbers dropped even further to 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.
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The problem for Jefferson is Cody Zeller worked so damn hard in his absence that he replaced him in the starting lineup. Jefferson came of the bench when he came back to the team.
Jefferson performed his role well, without much public complaint, ever the professional.
The problem for Charlotte is that Jefferson is 31 and probably looking to cash in for the final big contract of his career. Charlotte will need to convince a number of players that their future lies with Charlotte and some of them need to be at a discount rate,
Jefferson will be entertaining offers, of that there is no doubt. Does his loyalty to the team which he has been with for three years keep him in Charlotte for another run at a top four seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs?
Next: Re-Sign Batum