If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
Moderators: fatlever, JDR720, Diop, BigSlam, yosemiteben
If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- JDR720
- Forum Mod - Hornets
- Posts: 44,076
- And1: 45,510
- Joined: Jul 09, 2013
-
If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
Total rebuild? Panic trade to stay on the treadmill? Just keep going as if nothing happened?
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Pro Prospect
- Posts: 843
- And1: 322
- Joined: Apr 10, 2014
- Location: China
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
JDR720 wrote:Total rebuild? Panic trade to stay on the treadmill? Just keep going as if nothing happened?
Total rebuild I’m sure. We’d instantly become one of top 3 worst teams in the league.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- catch20two
- RealGM
- Posts: 21,424
- And1: 4,666
- Joined: Nov 04, 2012
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
I think we’ll just continue going as if nothing happened. We’ll be a very bad team but that’s the hand Cho dealt us by signing Batum, Marvin, Cody, and MKG to those contracts. And to think everyone gave Cho excuses for his decisions leading up to that free-agency where the cap rises and he only mucked it up.
Monk would become the starting guard in Kemba’s place and I’d guess we’d try to find a taller guard to start alongside him if not promote Bacon or make Batum the SG again Clifford-style.
People will realize that it was smart of Kupchak not to trade away the future 1st rounder and in 2020 after a tanking season we’ll draft Anthony Edwards or Bryan Antoine.
Monk would become the starting guard in Kemba’s place and I’d guess we’d try to find a taller guard to start alongside him if not promote Bacon or make Batum the SG again Clifford-style.
People will realize that it was smart of Kupchak not to trade away the future 1st rounder and in 2020 after a tanking season we’ll draft Anthony Edwards or Bryan Antoine.
They will wage war against the Lamb but the Lamb will triumph them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." Revelation 17:14 (NIV)
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- Diop
- Forum Mod - Hornets
- Posts: 40,368
- And1: 20,733
- Joined: Jul 24, 2004
- Location: Diop Dead Ugly
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- 316Hornets
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,246
- And1: 2,882
- Joined: Jun 26, 2015
- Location: Milky Way
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
This team is not able to just tank for 1 whole year. We already have attendance issues, so I don't think you can start the season off with a tank. I'd look to bring in a guy that may of had an injury but his name is well known like Oladipo or Hayward. We'll need somebody to market if Kemba is gone and not sure any of our young guys should take on that pressure just yet. I'd strongly consider getting Dennis Smith Jr. as well due to his NC ties. That should keep fans somewhat happy if Kemba leaves.
Basically, do a disguised tank that could work out if the player we bring regains his form. I'd like to move Batum to bring in one of these 'damaged goods' players.
Basically, do a disguised tank that could work out if the player we bring regains his form. I'd like to move Batum to bring in one of these 'damaged goods' players.
The Charlotte Hornets will win their first round series against the Boston Celtics in the 2021 Playoffs
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,476
- And1: 9,270
- Joined: Jan 05, 2014
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
I doubt the front office has a plan even if Kemba stays.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,017
- And1: 1,506
- Joined: Jun 28, 2017
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
Braggins wrote:I doubt the front office has a plan even if Kemba stays.
Unfortunately it's quite likely this...
At this point, they're going to have to prove the fan base wrong by making sensible decisions. As of right now, looks kinda directionless...not really their fault because the roster they inherited is extremely tough to maneuver with...but it's still pretty darn bleak.
The fact that we were the only Eastern Conference team to not make a move bothered me

Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- Eoghan
- RealGM
- Posts: 11,315
- And1: 3,293
- Joined: May 20, 2009
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- SWedd523
- RealGM
- Posts: 13,490
- And1: 6,455
- Joined: Jul 07, 2009
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
They have no coherent plan now, with a top 25 player in the league.
Imagine watching them if he's gone.
**** headless chickens running around
Imagine watching them if he's gone.
**** headless chickens running around

Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Sophomore
- Posts: 215
- And1: 174
- Joined: Oct 25, 2018
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
Keep in mind that Cho would have likely pulled off some stupid trade that may have helped a little this year but would have compounded our cap problem. So I believe that Mitch has a plan and one of the parts of the plan is to not do something stupid. Hopefully Kemba will resign (home town discount? maybe) and hopefully we can move one or more of the expiring contracts this summer. Probably stuck with the Batum and CZ contracts for the foreseeable future though. It will take a while for Mitch to straighten out this salary cap mess. Just need to make smart decisions from this point forward.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 11,335
- And1: 4,680
- Joined: Mar 11, 2004
- Location: PA
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
If Kemba leaves, the plan should be to just let the rest of our garbage contracts expire and continue to draft and prepare to sign free agents once draft picks are ready to contribute significantly.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,030
- And1: 1,376
- Joined: Dec 07, 2011
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
I'm thinking we use all of our expirings next year to try to get either picks or younger guys in general. Doesn't really matter what the plan may be though since we always chance course right in the middle of it and go in the opposite direction which is why we are always right where we are, even with a top 10-12 player
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- JMAC3
- RealGM
- Posts: 13,224
- And1: 6,242
- Joined: May 22, 2010
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
If Kemba leaves, I would sign Ricky Rubio as free agent. He is perfect point guard on a rebuilding team who can help show which players are worth keeping.
Bring Lamb back on a 1 year overpay to backup up monk. Then try to deal as many of those expirings (mkg, Parker, Marv, Biz) to teams for assets. I would take on a few bad contracts and get as many young players and picks as possible. Ideally get players back that would be expiring the following year and repeat the same process.
Be bad, finish with a top 3 pick in 2020 draft.Then try to start to rebuild around that player, Monk, Bridges and our 2019 first. We would probably still be bad enough to pick in lottery for another year or 2 after 2020.
Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums
Bring Lamb back on a 1 year overpay to backup up monk. Then try to deal as many of those expirings (mkg, Parker, Marv, Biz) to teams for assets. I would take on a few bad contracts and get as many young players and picks as possible. Ideally get players back that would be expiring the following year and repeat the same process.
Be bad, finish with a top 3 pick in 2020 draft.Then try to start to rebuild around that player, Monk, Bridges and our 2019 first. We would probably still be bad enough to pick in lottery for another year or 2 after 2020.
Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- Benjamin Linus
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,596
- And1: 1,292
- Joined: May 22, 2008
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
What we should do is rebuild. What we'll probably do is trade for Mike Conley.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 5,974
- And1: 2,073
- Joined: Jul 02, 2006
- Location: Bye FL back to MO; NC born & bred
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
Benjamin Linus wrote:What we should do is rebuild. What we'll probably do is trade for Mike Conley.
With this organization there is always the suspicion of incompetence. It’s happened so much we instinctively anticipate the pain.
If our best player and only all-star leaves with no compensation back, the worst move would be to bleed more good assets for a marginal trade. Try to deal the fat expirings for picks and youth, and attempt to get lucky in the draft. Position for the ability to offer some free agents major $ and hope someone really good would come if all the glamour destinations are capped out. Timing might someday be on our side. Hope is all we would have left if Kemba departs. I put the odds at 60-40 he is gone.
I continue to wait...and hope...for the return to Hornet's glory.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Sixth Man
- Posts: 1,876
- And1: 1,303
- Joined: Aug 04, 2014
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
I think he stays but if not I would bet that Charlotte at least works a sign and trade thing. Kemba wants the extra money only we can give and probably doesn't want to burn Charlotte. Dennis Smith and future #1 would work. Knicks get their guy to pair with Durant and wouldn't need DSJ anyway.
If a total fail occurs and he walks that is fine too. Stink for 2019-2020. Get 2 high lottery picks. Trade the expiring old guys next trade deadline for more picks and mediocre dudes with one more year. Have 4 or so #1 picks in the next 2 drafts and plenty of cap space available in 2020-21. Pair the talented (hopefully) and young (by default) core with nice FA additions in 2021....waalaah.
If a total fail occurs and he walks that is fine too. Stink for 2019-2020. Get 2 high lottery picks. Trade the expiring old guys next trade deadline for more picks and mediocre dudes with one more year. Have 4 or so #1 picks in the next 2 drafts and plenty of cap space available in 2020-21. Pair the talented (hopefully) and young (by default) core with nice FA additions in 2021....waalaah.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 12,903
- And1: 11,112
- Joined: Mar 29, 2014
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
The Knicks have no incentive to do a sign and trade for Kemba. They can sign him and another max free agent outright without having to move any of their rookie contract players. You also don't get extra money doing a sign and trade. If we want to get value out of Kemba we have to sign him outright and move him at a later date.
So basically a scenario where the Lakers, Knicks, 76'ers, etc. aren't able to get everyone they want and punt their cap space. Kemba gets his money from us with the understanding that we will move him to a contender after the moratorium is over. We then trade him to one of those aforementioned teams for their one year signings with an asset attached such as DSJ, Ball, etc.
So basically a scenario where the Lakers, Knicks, 76'ers, etc. aren't able to get everyone they want and punt their cap space. Kemba gets his money from us with the understanding that we will move him to a contender after the moratorium is over. We then trade him to one of those aforementioned teams for their one year signings with an asset attached such as DSJ, Ball, etc.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
- HornetJail
- RealGM
- Posts: 46,416
- And1: 14,162
- Joined: Feb 05, 2012
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
use Marvin and Biz's expirings to take on more bad contracts and acquire picks. Throw Monk, Bridges, and our 1st round pick into the fire and give them 30+ mpg. Re-sign Lamb and use him as a trade asset. Get assets for MKG and Zeller. Just wait out Batum's contract. It's useless to try and compete for the next 2-3 years at a minimum, so tanking is really the only option.
investigate Adam Silver
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- General Manager
- Posts: 8,998
- And1: 8,481
- Joined: Jul 05, 2014
- Location: Dornbirn, Austria
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
The absolute depths of cynicism in this thread, lol.
Next year we're in a far better position to make trades with all those big expiring contracts. If Kemba leaves all those guys get flipped for a player like Chandler Parsons and a future 1st or an intriguing young prospect. Furthermore if Kemba goes there is no need to re-sign Lamb, so you let him walk and start Graham/Monk/Bridges the entire year.
It won't be pretty but it's comical to act as if there is no plan. We have an entirely different front office and scouting department, Cho and Cliff aren't walking through that door to ping-pong between pet prospects that disappoint. Just because we couldn't move some of the worst contracts in basketball at the trade deadline for a quality player (what a shock!!!) doesn't mean Mitch is asleep at the wheel.
Next year we're in a far better position to make trades with all those big expiring contracts. If Kemba leaves all those guys get flipped for a player like Chandler Parsons and a future 1st or an intriguing young prospect. Furthermore if Kemba goes there is no need to re-sign Lamb, so you let him walk and start Graham/Monk/Bridges the entire year.
It won't be pretty but it's comical to act as if there is no plan. We have an entirely different front office and scouting department, Cho and Cliff aren't walking through that door to ping-pong between pet prospects that disappoint. Just because we couldn't move some of the worst contracts in basketball at the trade deadline for a quality player (what a shock!!!) doesn't mean Mitch is asleep at the wheel.
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
-
- Lead Assistant
- Posts: 4,729
- And1: 970
- Joined: Jun 09, 2014
-
Re: If kemba leaves, whats the plan?
316Hornets wrote:This team is not able to just tank for 1 whole year. We already have attendance issues, so I don't think you can start the season off with a tank. I'd look to bring in a guy that may of had an injury but his name is well known like Oladipo or Hayward. We'll need somebody to market if Kemba is gone and not sure any of our young guys should take on that pressure just yet. I'd strongly consider getting Dennis Smith Jr. as well due to his NC ties. That should keep fans somewhat happy if Kemba leaves.
Basically, do a disguised tank that could work out if the player we bring regains his form. I'd like to move Batum to bring in one of these 'damaged goods' players.
That's another reason why I think a guy like Yuta Watanabe woulda been great for a small market team like ours as far as helping with attendence goes.
UPDATED 7-5-2025
These are who I want with our picks in order
Fears
Raynaud
Kam Jones
Taelon Peter - or Will Richard
Chase Hunter - summer league invite
These are who I want with our picks in order
Fears
Raynaud
Kam Jones
Taelon Peter - or Will Richard
Chase Hunter - summer league invite