Charlotte Hornets: 5 household free agent targets to pair with LaMelo Ball
By Dalton Sell
The Charlotte Hornets should pursue Jarrett Allen in 2021 NBA Free agency
Jarrett Allen is slated to hit restricted free agency this offseason, and the Charlotte Hornets are reportedly interested in making a play at him. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, several executives around the league believe that Charlotte will target Allen to fill their vacant center position, and the fit makes reasonable sense from several viewpoints.
At just 23 years old, Allen is still developing and fits the current timeline for this youthful Charlotte team. The big man has consistently improved throughout the first four seasons of his career, clocking in his best year yet in 2020-21 by averaging 12.8 points, 10 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. Numbers like that caught the attention of many suitors as the center is gearing up to hit free agency with a strong market afoot.
The rising star is a justifiable target for Charlotte. Offensively, Allen has shown that he can clock in double-figures on a nightly basis, despite not being equipped with a reliable jump shot. He would provide LaMelo with a reliable lob threat close to the basket, and it would not take long for the two to develop an early connection on that end. Defensively, Allen has risen to one of the premier shot-blocking bigs in the league today, and he could anchor this Charlotte defense.
The biggest thing potentially stopping this perfect match is the restricted tag on Allen’s upcoming free agency. The Cleveland Cavaliers can match any offer extended towards Allen from an outside team, and it would be understandable for them to pay him after the potential he has shown. Yet, that should not stop the Hornets from at least checking in on the big man once free agency starts.