Analyzing the Charlotte Hornets’ roster: Who stays and who goes before new season?
It’s not quite at the forefront of the agenda yet, given there’s still something a little more pressing.
But once the Charlotte Hornets settle on their new head coach, the next item on their offseason checklist will begin in earnest: reviewing the roster. The new voice is going to have an opinion about certain players and what needs to be done to push the team’s young core to the next level.
Collectively, the Hornets brain trust must figure out which pieces fit best while also being mindful of any long-term salary implications that could make it more difficult to shuffle the roster in the future. Some contractual deadlines are on the horizon over the upcoming weeks, and it’s going to be interesting to see how team leaders decide to shape things heading into the 2022-23 season.
Here’s a look at the team’s top players and the likelihood of whether they could be a part of any potential roster reconstruction, leading to them wearing a different jersey next season.
THE QUESTION MARKS
Cody Martin
Contract status for 2022-23: Restricted free agent
Improving incrementally since he was selected in the second round of the NBA draft in 2019, the Hornets’ most noted defensive player began the season with a fast start that saw him lead the league in 3-point percentage. But he never regained the same form after a bout with a non-COVID illness in December, followed by an absence due to the coronavirus a few weeks later.
He was often the first player off the bench, and that was especially true whenever the team had issues on defense in the game’s opening minutes. Considering how they developed him and can match any offer he receives on the free agent market, it’s hard to see them letting the Mocksville, North Carolina, native just walk away.
Determining his value is among the many financial tasks the Hornets have to deal with.
Isaiah Thomas
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
The 33-year-old thoroughly enjoyed his short stint with the Hornets, quickly becoming a veteran voice in the locker room and a solid backup option at point guard. He also turned out to be a valuable pseudo-assistant coach for LaMelo Ball.
During exit interviews, Thomas professed his desire to return and was grateful to the coaching staff for allowing him to be himself. Whether a new coaching regime changes that remains to be seen.
Montrezl Harrell
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
He was acquired at the trade deadline from Washington for Ish Smith and Vernon Carey Jr. Though he’s not the tallest or fastest at his position, he brought something different to the Hornets. He provided grit and desire, using it to pump up the crowd at Spectrum Center.
Playing for the Hornets gave him an opportunity to be near his hometown of Tarboro, North Carolina, and spend more time with his kids. Under the right circumstances, he would probably want that to continue. The Hornets were his fourth team in the past four years.
If he desires to return and there’s mutual interest by the Hornets, that would mean he’s indeed happy with their expectations. Harrell made some interesting comments two days after the season ended, openly questioning how he was utilized and the Hornets’ lack of adjustments in their loss to the Hawks.
NOT GOING ANYWHERE
Miles Bridges
Contract status: Restricted free agent
Barring a snag in negotiations, which is always a possibility, the two sides are expected to continue their partnership. The fourth-year forward is surely going to command a huge payday. The Hornets can match any offer he receives on the open market.
After betting on himself and not signing the four-year, $60 million extension the Hornets offered him prior to the 2021-22 season, he cashed in by having a career year and leading the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game to go with seven rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Besides a Pogo Stick-like leaping ability, his versatility is a huge commodity, and that interchangeability gives the Hornets a variety of looks. His tandem with Ball spurs eye-popping plays, and the two genuinely enjoy each other. Breaking the chemistry they’ve developed would be a catastrophic mistake. The Hornets can’t afford to alienate their All-Star point guard by severing the relationship with his alley-oop mate.
LaMelo Ball
Contract status: Entering third year of four-year, $35.5 million deal
No explanation needed. He’s the face of the franchise and the player they are building around and hitching their hopes to. He’s a pitchman on national commercials.
How many times have you seen that Hulu spot during the NBA playoffs? When’s the last time that was the case for a member of the Hornets?
Enough said.
Terry Rozier
Contract status: Entering the first season of a four-year, $97 million contract.
The contact extension he signed in August is just kicking in. He’s here for the foreseeable future.
Kelly Oubre
Contract status: Second season of a two-year, $24.6 million contract
His instant offense off the bench and the occasional emergency spot start were a huge boost and gave the Hornets a reserve weapon. It’s hard to forget some of his best performances, which includes a franchise-record 10 3-pointers and 39 points off the bench in Indianapolis in January.
He quickly adapted to his new team and bounced back from his rough season with Golden State. With a salary that becomes fully guaranteed in July if he’s still on the roster, he’s entrenched in the Hornets’ plans.
Gordon Hayward
Contract status: Third season of a four year, $120 million deal
With him missing the bulk of the end of the season for the second year in a row and knowing he has two years and $61.5 million left on his contract, it’s hard to envision any team eagerly lining up to trade for the 32-year-old. He’s going to have to carve out a role in the Hornets’ up-tempo style, provided he can stay healthy.
Jalen McDaniels
Contract status: $1.93 million team option
It’s expected the Hornets will exercise the option to keep the second-round find around for at least one more year. His versatility on defense paired with his 3-point stroke make him a noteworthy piece off the bench.
JT Thor
Contract status: Second season of a four year, $6.6 million deal
The raw, lanky second-round pick doesn’t have much value yet. The framework to be a contributor is there. It’s going to depend on how hard he works and if he’s able to pounce on his opportunity whenever it arises.
COULD BE ON THE MOVE
PJ Washington
Contract status: Final season of a four year, $12 million deal
This wouldn’t be because the Hornets don’t like Washington. In fact, it’s because a few other teams covet the talented big man for a number of reasons.
Besides being able to play the power forward and center positions, he’s extremely valuable when you factor in the range on his jumpshot, a lengthy wingspan and improving defensive prowess. As a young, relatively inexpensive commodity, he could wind up as one of the Hornets’ most tradeable chips and can be packaged to bring in someone who can help alter the look of their frontline.
It would take the right deal for the right player to part with Washington, who’s eligible for an extension on his rookie pact.
Mason Plumlee
Contract status: Final season of a three year, $24.6 million deal
Although he served as an upgrade at a position occupied by Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo, the free-throw struggles made it difficult to play him late in games, often forcing the staff to utilize a smaller lineup in the closing minutes. The Hornets have a decision to make with him soon that should give clarity to his future.
According to sportrac, his 2022-23 salary of $8.52 million was originally fully guaranteed but has been changed to a 50% guarantee. It reverts back to a full guarantee if the Hornets don’t waive him before the later of 10 days prior to July 1, which is the start of the league’s new fiscal year for 2022, or 10 days after the NBA Finals between Golden State and Boston concludes.
James Bouknight
Contract status: Second season of a four year, $19.1 million deal
It doesn’t matter as much now since James Borrego is no longer the coach, but the 21-year-old insisted his sideline spat with Borrego was behind him and that he was ready to move forward. The lottery pick could be shipped out as part of a package for an upgrade at another position such as center, but the Hornets like his talent and would need to get offered something they couldn’t turn down to part with the University of Connecticut product.
Kai Jones
Contract status: Second season of a four year, $13.4 million deal
Similar to 2021 draft-mate Bouknight, the bouncy 19-year-old is a player the team really wants to continue to mold into a solid contributor. They thought highly enough of him to trade into the first round to get him, and after a year of seasoning in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm and another trip to the Las Vegas Summer League on tap, he’ll try to crack the Hornets’ rotation in 2022-23.
Nick Richards
Contract status: Final season of a three year, $4.3 million deal
He came into his own in his limited playing time and could be an inexpensive option at backup center — a position that Kai Jones may also be in line to receive some minutes at if his development continues its upward trajectory. But Richards’ $1.72 million salary for 2022-23 isn’t guaranteed, making him expendable.
This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Analyzing the Charlotte Hornets’ roster: Who stays and who goes before new season?."
