Charlotte Hornets: 2019-20 NBA season preview
2019-20 Roster
Key Additions: Terry Rozier (sign-and-trade), PJ Washington (draft), Cody Martin (draft).
Key Subtractions: Kemba Walker (sign-and-trade), Jeremy Lamb (free agency), Frank Kaminsky (free agency), Tony Parker (retirement)
While the Charlotte Hornets had their biggest offseason in terms of who left the team, it was one of the quietest offseasons in team history.
Much has been documented about the sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics for Kemba Walker and Terry Rozier. The franchise allowed the face of the franchise for the last eight years, and holder of many team records, to leave without much of a fight.
Walker was eligible for the supermax from the Hornets, but as stated early in the offseason, Mitch Kupchak was not willing to dip into the luxury tax to pay up for Walker’s deserved contract, paving the way for Walker to head elsewhere. The Hornets then had to settle for Terry Rozier to take over as their starting point guard for the next three years.
The Hornets didn’t do much to purse free agents Jeremy Lamb and Frank Kaminsky either. Lamb was the team’s second highest scorer last year at 15.3 points per game. Lamb spent time as a starting shooting guard and eventually settled into the team’s Sixth Man role. Lamb signed a three-year deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Kaminsky didn’t have a chance to shine until late in the season, breaking into the rotation due to injuries. In his limited time, he was a solid 3-point shooter for the Hornets, hitting 36.0 percent of his 139 3-point attempts. Kaminksy did not receive a qualifying offer and found a home with the Phoenix Suns.
Outside of Rozier, the Hornets didn’t add much to their team. PJ Washington was drafted with the team’s only first round pick, joining the organization’s massive depth at the forward position. Cody Martin and Jalen McDaniels were drafted in the second round, but Martin is expected to be on the G League Greensboro Swarm.
McDaniels isn’t even guaranteed a roster spot amid all the controversy surrounding him currently. He was, however, offered a tender which allows the Hornets to maintain his draft rights if he doesn’t make the roster.
The Hornets did fill out their roster with five Exhibit 10 contracts though, including Kobi Simmons and Caleb Martin, Cody Martin’s brother. These contracts don’t guarantee them a roster spot, but if they don’t make the roster, they have incentives to stay with the team’s G League affiliate instead of heading to another G League team or even overseas.
One of the biggest reasons the Hornets didn’t make a lot of moves is because of limited flexibility of the cap, which is one of the team’s biggest storylines heading into the season.