Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
Charlotte Hornets:
Free Agents:
- Treveon Graham (RFA)
- Michael Carter-Williams (UFA)
- Marcus Paige (RFA – 2-way FA)
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense: 14th (106.8)
- Defense: 16th (107.1)
- Net: 20th (minus -0.3)
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 21st
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 21st
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 500 to 1
Committed Salary: $119,578,294.00 as of June 30th
Average attendance:16,375
Attendance rank: 26th
Arena: Spectrum Center
Management:
General Manager: Mitch Kupchak – 2018
Head Coach: James Borrego – 2018
Salary Profile:
The Hornets have one non-guaranteed contract for Julyan Stone for $1,656,092. Mitch Kupchak has plenty to work with in terms of exceptions. At his disposal are a trade exception ($7.8 million), a bi-annual ($3.4 million), and a non -tax midlevel ($8.6 million).
| Sala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| Nicolas Batum | 29 | $24,000,000 | Cap Space | $72,000,000 |
| Marvin Williams | 32 | $14,087,500 | Cap Space | $27,256,250 |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | 24 | $13,000,000 | 1st Round Pick | $26,000,000 |
| Cody Zeller | 25 | $13,528,090 | 1st Round Pick | $56,000,000 |
| Kemba Walker | 28 | $12,000,000 | 1st Round Pick | $24,000,000 |
| Jeremy Lamb | 26 | $7,488,372 | Rookie scale extension | $14,488,372 |
| Malik Monk | 20 | $3,447,480 | 1st Round Pick | $6,351,960 |
| Frank Kaminsky | 25 | $3,627,842 | 1st round pick | $6,475,442 |
| Julyan Stone | 29 | $1,656,092 | Minimum Salary | $1,524,305 |
| Willy Hernangomez | 24 | $1,544,951 | Cap Space | $2,980,701 |
| Dwayne Bacon | 22 | $1,378,242 | MLE | $2,193,857 |
| Team Totals | $119,578,294 | $266,883,498 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/30/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 1:
With the 12th pick (from Pistons via Clippers) the Hornets selected Michigan State forward Miles Bridges.
Rookie Profile: Miles Bridges the sophomore sensation
Round 2:
With the 34th pick (from Hawks) the Hornets selected Kansas guard Devonte Graham
Rookie Profile: Devonte Graham is a perfect fit for the OKC Thunder
With the 55th pick (from Cavs via Nets, 76ers) the Hornets selected European forward Arnoldas Kulboka.
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
Perhaps the greatest mystery entering this offseason is what the Hornets plans are. Will they blow it up or go all in to lock in Kemba Walker and build around him? The squad has come up short repeatedly so something has to give. Some pundits saw the Dwight Howard move as a sign. I’m not sure I agree. Remember Kupchak was the man in charge in LA when Howard was making life challenging for Kobe and his teammates.
Sources: There have been some talks between the Magic and Hornets involving Kemba Walker and Nikola Vucevic. Hornets want to attach Nicolas Batum in any deal.
— Mike Ortiz Jr. (@TrustOrtiz) June 29, 2018
If Kupchak and the brain trust elect to restructure than Kemba will likely be on the trade block. Conversely, if the plan is to lock him in than the next question will be which current assets the Hornets should stay vested in. Walker’s core partners have been Williams and Batum.
The pair each own player options in their final contract years. Williams has two seasons remaining and Batum three. The latter signed the contract with visions of him providing the same production he did in Portland, but sadly he’s come up well short and his contract won’t be easy to shop.
One thing the Hornets should consider (if they invest in Walker) is finding a larger guard to work in concert with Kemba as he was at his best with Jeremy Lin and the floor spacing also brought out the best in Batum and Williams.