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5 Roster Moves The Charlotte Hornets Need To Make

By Matthew Hallett

Nov 7, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum (5) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (R) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum (5) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (R) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Re-Sign Nicolas Batum

UPDATE: According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Hornets have re-signed Batum to a five-year, $120 million extension.

Batum was amazing for the Charlotte Hornets last year, coming from the Portland Trail Blazers. Batum averaged a career high 14.9 points a night last season as well as a respectable 6.1 rebounds per game.

Those numbers are impressive, but what Batum really did was give Charlotte the 3-and-D player that they needed on the wing.

Batum was always going to come on strong last season,since  he was always third or fourth option behind LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews in his time in Portland. Coming to Charlotte probably felt a little less restrictive to him.

The reason it is so important to re-sign Batum? In the East alone to get the to Finals you will have to get past LeBron James  and Cleveland Cavaliers, and also Paul George and the Indiana Pacers.

The ability to slow these two dominant small forwards down will go a long way to determining if you team can then go on to play the best team in the West.

If you get to this series then you will be potentially facing Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs or Kevin Durant, currently of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Without Batum, I cannot see Charlotte troubling any of those four teams.

Next: Re-Sign Williams

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