Mock Off-Season: Charlotte Hornets

[ReggiesKnicks]

NBA Draft
#3 Pick - Ace Bailey
#33 Pick - Trade to Phoenix
#34 Pick - Hugo Gonzales

Notable Free Agents
Tre Mann (RFA - 14.7 Million Cap Hold)
Josh Okogie ($0 Guaranteed, Waive)
Taj Gibson (He is retiring, right?)
Seth Curry (UFA)
DaQuan Jeffries ($0 Guaranteed, Waive)

Contract Negotiations
Re-sign Tre Mann 3/18.2 Million (3rd year Team Option)
Re-sign Seth Curry Minimum

Total Salary: 161,275,960
NBA Salary Cap: 154,647,000

Transactions
Grayson Allen for Josh Green, Nick Smith Jr, #34

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (3/45.7 Million, MLE with 8% Raises)

Total Salary: 177,127,613

Roster/Rotation
LaMelo Ball / Tre Mann / Two-Way
Grayson Allen / Nickeil Alexander-Walker / Seth Curry
Brandon Miller / Ace Bailey / Hugo Gonzalez
Miles Bridges / Grant Williams / Tidjane Salaun
Mark Williams / Moussa Diabate / Jusuf Nurkic

Charlotte picks BPA at #3 in the draft, easy pick. The pairing of Miller/Bailey could one day resemble two of my favorite Pacer wings who almost had overlapping primes in Danny Granger and Paul George. Bailey needs time to develop his already advanced skill-set with incredible measurables and an ever-developing floor game.

Acquiring Grayson Allen and Nickeil Alexander-Walker bolsters Charlotte's small and often-injured back-court. While neither Allen or NAW are full-time Point Guards, they connect the ball well, defend with real effort and purpose and compliment both LaMelo and Miller skill-sets.

I tried to ensure Charlotte stayed over the Salary Cap post-draft, as operating over the Salary Cap is a major advantage for a team trying to make trades and utilizing the MLE (even for an expiring). This is a team which can, if healthy and growth/development from Miller/William/Diabate, easily push for the Play-In (or more) in the East.

[Godaddycurse]

I dont think NAW will sign with charlotte to come off the bench for MLE. Probbaly have better options elsewhere

[ReggiesKnicks]

I dont think NAW will sign with charlotte to come off the bench for MLE. Probbaly have better options elsewhere

Are other teams going to be happy or willing to spend $45 Million guaranteed to NAW?

Can NAW simply start ahead of Allen?

[gswhoops]

I don't really see any reason for Phoenix to consider that deal. Allen is good and Green isn't.

[Texas Chuck]

You say you picked Harper, but have Bailey in the rotation? If you are picking Bailey, you try and squeeze value out of the team at 3, right?


Yeah that feels really light for Allen. And I am still the only resident of Josh Green Island.

I really really want Dallas to trade for Grayson though if I am wrong and this board is right about his value. He's an upgrade to Klay/Christie and I'd love to get him for unwanted salary/minimal asset.

I think NAW takes the most money. He's never really made any. If that's the biggest offer I suspect he takes it without asking one question about his role.

Overall I think this is fine. I mean it all comes down to what does the rookie bring. But Allen and NAW are good pieces to make for a better overall environment. I'd probably also look to bring in a real vocal veteran leader though. Williams is loud, but don't want him leading, Ball doesn't seem interested, and you don't want Miller to have to do it yet.

But that team desperately needs "an adult in the room". I know one Hornets fan this offends for some reason, but there is a reason beyond just talent why this organization can't get out of its own way. Get a culture changer in place would be priority 1 for me.

[pipfan]

Vuc for Nurkic and the #34?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Vuc for Nurkic and the #34?

Its an option but Charlotte already has Mark Williams and then Diabate was really good in his minutes. I don't see Center as a need for Charlotte and I'd prefer them to pick one in the early 2nd if they did see the position as needing more depth.

[giberish]

I feel like the team needs to add at least 4 credible NBA rotation players to be competitive (and not collapse after 1 or 2 injuries0. 2 guards, 1 PF and 1 C.

They should get one with their lotto pick (Flagg or Bailey at PF or else a guard). MLE should get one. The other two are tougher. Perhaps an older option available as a high 2nd can come in and be useful. Perhaps an early 2nd can upgrade someone. Perhaps they can find some cheap that's playable (some teams do this regularly but Charlotte generally hasn't).

[JustBuzzin]

A ideal trade for Charlotte would be targeting Derrick White from Boston assuming the rumors are true they will look to cut some salary.

Nurkic (exp)/NSJ/Dal 1st for White makes a lot of sense

[Godaddycurse]

A ideal trade for Charlotte would be targeting Derrick White from Boston assuming the rumors are true they will look to cut some salary.

Nurkic (exp)/NSJ/Dal 1st for White makes a lot of sense

boston is trading holiday and KP before white. probably brown before white too. White's deal is a steal/bargain

[facothomas22]

No reason for NAW to accept a Mid level exception deal to sign with a poor Hornets team. If the Hornets are not willing to pay more than this in order to sign him,I think he will be looking for a playoff team that can offer him the same money.

[ReggiesKnicks]

No reason for NAW to accept a Mid level exception deal to sign with a poor Hornets team. If the Hornets are not willing to pay more than this in order to sign him,I think he will be looking for a playoff team that can offer him the same money.

What is your evaluation of NAW?

Which playoff teams do you think have interest in NAW and have the Non-Tax MLE?

[facothomas22]

No reason for NAW to accept a Mid level exception deal to sign with a poor Hornets team. If the Hornets are not willing to pay more than this in order to sign him,I think he will be looking for a playoff team that can offer him the same money.

What is your evaluation of NAW?

Which playoff teams do you think have interest in NAW and have the Non-Tax MLE?

I think he's a solid 3 and D player that many teams can use. The Thunder,Warriors,Pacers,Pistons,and Clippers are all playoffs teams that could be under the 1st tier apron enough to open up a full Mid Level Exception and the Clippers/Pistons can easily use another 3 and D guard.

[babyjax13]

If they draft Bailey (and I do like the fit) he needs to start.

LaMelo
Bailey
Miller

That's a really big perimeter rotation with some explosive scoring potential, would be a lot of fun.

[ReggiesKnicks]

If they draft Bailey (and I do like the fit) he needs to start.

LaMelo
Bailey
Miller

That's a really big perimeter rotation with some explosive scoring potential, would be a lot of fun.

Hard to see a 20 year old rookie as raw as Ace start. Charlotte can easily compete and make the Play-In next year when healthy. Ace can still play 20+ MPG off the bench.

[babyjax13]

If they draft Bailey (and I do like the fit) he needs to start.

LaMelo
Bailey
Miller

That's a really big perimeter rotation with some explosive scoring potential, would be a lot of fun.

Hard to see a 20 year old rookie as raw as Ace start. Charlotte can easily compete and make the Play-In next year when healthy. Ace can still play 20+ MPG off the bench.

Plenty of teams competing for the playin are able to start a rookie. Ace at least can stand in the corner and shoot, and he is an active defender. Will he contribute to winning? No. But almost no rookies do. But he might not harm them much if at all. Plus, they need to invest minutes in their young talent. The play-in isn't the kind of outcome where you limit the minutes of developing players to get there.

[Godaddycurse]

No reason for NAW to accept a Mid level exception deal to sign with a poor Hornets team. If the Hornets are not willing to pay more than this in order to sign him,I think he will be looking for a playoff team that can offer him the same money.

What is your evaluation of NAW?

Which playoff teams do you think have interest in NAW and have the Non-Tax MLE?

I really like his fit in Detroit next to Cade and Ivey.
Mikwaukee should offer him full MLE if Giannis stays and they cant get Jerome.. they need talent
I like his fit in LAL too if they can dump some salary

[HornetJail]

Vuc for Nurkic and the #34?

Its an option but Charlotte already has Mark Williams and then Diabate was really good in his minutes. I don't see Center as a need for Charlotte and I'd prefer them to pick one in the early 2nd if they did see the position as needing more depth.

A priority for Charlotte should be a big man that can stretch the floor and take the minutes Mark doesn't. Preferably gets some spot minutes with him as well. Moussa was fun this season, but he's not more than a short minutes energy big due to how limited his offense is. He can play more in games Mark misses. I would comfortably do this.

I'd leave the Grayson Allen acquisition alone but like the NAW addition. Charlotte's #1 priority though, needs to be a playmaker/primary ball handler. Someone who can lead a second unit, or step in for Melo when he inevitably gets hurt. Mann is too big a question mark to be our only backup option, otherwise we just get a repeat of this year. We should keep him but we need options. Even though I really don't like him as a player, D'Angelo Russell's profile is kind of what we need.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Vuc for Nurkic and the #34?

Its an option but Charlotte already has Mark Williams and then Diabate was really good in his minutes. I don't see Center as a need for Charlotte and I'd prefer them to pick one in the early 2nd if they did see the position as needing more depth.

A priority for Charlotte should be a big man that can stretch the floor and take the minutes Mark doesn't. Preferably gets some spot minutes with him as well. Moussa was fun this season, but he's not more than a short minutes energy big due to how limited his offense is. He can play more in games Mark misses. I would comfortably do this.

I'd leave the Grayson Allen acquisition alone but like the NAW addition. Charlotte's #1 priority though, needs to be a playmaker/primary ball handler. Someone who can lead a second unit, or step in for Melo when he inevitably gets hurt. Mann is too big a question mark to be our only backup option, otherwise we just get a repeat of this year. We should keep him but we need options. Even though I really don't like him as a player, D'Angelo Russell's profile is kind of what we need.

I think a place Charlotte could lean then is acquiring Vucevic.

Vucevic gives Charlotte a starting-caliber Center who can spot-start when Mark Williams misses games and put some real pressure on Mark Williams to ascend.

Vucevic also provides some secondary playmaking, connectivity and spacing from a big man. This allows Charlotte to not rely heavily on a back-up playmaker/ball-handler and foster an environment for Brandon Miller to expand his playmaking and on-ball decision making.

Is NAW/Tre enough as primary back-up Point Guards? That's where I leave questioning, especially with Ball's injury history.

[Skybox]

A ideal trade for Charlotte would be targeting Derrick White from Boston assuming the rumors are true they will look to cut some salary.

Nurkic (exp)/NSJ/Dal 1st for White makes a lot of sense

BOS looking to cut some payroll, make some compromises...not go insane!