Hoops Habit
Fansided

Charlotte Hornets: 5 goals for the upcoming 2018 offseason

By Christopher Jeter

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 8: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 8: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacers on April 8, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Charlotte Hornets: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images /

3. Try to trade Dwight Howard

Despite spending the majority of the season out of the national spotlight, center Dwight Howard had a pretty good season. The eight-time All-Star averaged a double-double for the 14th consecutive season and finished with a 20.8 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and 6.8 win shares. He was his usual effective self inside, shooting 66 percent at the rim and averaging 1.04 points per possession as the pick-and-roll roll man.

Those numbers notwithstanding, Howard has shown some signs of decline. His field goal percentage dipped from 63 percent in 2016-17 to 55 percent this year. His 104 defensive rating was tied for the highest of his career. Opponents shot a surprisingly high 64 percent against him in the restricted area. This may be nitpicking, but Howard simply isn’t the player that he once was.

With Howard entering a contract year in 2018-19, Charlotte should consider trading him this summer. Of course, it will be hard to get teams to take on his $23.8 million price tag, but I think that some clubs would acquire him once the likes of Clint Capela and DeAndre Jordan come off the open market.

Plus, trading him during the offseason as opposed to midseason bolsters their chance at a decent return. Teams aren’t going to give away big-time assets for a half-season rental, so moving Howard beforehand seems ideal.

Even if they can’t get a premium return for him, moving Howard and his salary could help Charlotte get out of its financial straits. The 32-year-old still has plenty to offer an NBA team, so the Hornets should at least ask around to see what they can get for him.

Home/Charlotte Hornets