Charlotte Hornets: Where the franchise stands heading into the 2018 offseason

Analyzing the state of the Charlotte Hornets franchise heading into the 2018 NBA offseason

The Charlotte Hornets entered the 2017-18 season looking like a team that could possibly sneak into the playoffs if they could stay healthy. However, the same major issue that plagued the team last year wasn’t resolved as the Hornets continued to be one of the NBA’s worst teams when the game was close.

When a game was within five points in the final five minutes the Hornets were 7-25. When the game was within five points in the final three minutes, Charlotte was 5-23. For the Hornets, the inability to win close games was the difference between a return to the playoffs and sitting at home for the second straight season.

Charlotte finished the season 36-46 overall and seven games back of the Wizards for the final playoff spot in the East. Charlotte decided to move in a different direction this offseason as they fired longtime head coach Steve Clifford and replaced him with James Borrego, an assistant coach from the San Antonio Spurs.

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For Borrego he must find a way to improve the team without spending money otherwise he may decide to look at possible trades involving the Hornets best player Kemba Walker. This upcoming offseason will be huge in deciding if the Hornets need a full rebuild or if they can salvage what they have.

Numbers:

Record: 36-46

Off Rtg: 109.4

Def Rtg: 109.1

Pace: 98.4

EFG%: .508

Net Rtg: 0.3

Starting 5:

Kemba Walker: 22.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.6 APG

Nicolas Batum: 11.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 9.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 APG

Marvin Williams: 9.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG

Dwight Howard: 16.6 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 1.3 APG

Lineup record: 23-33

Draft picks and free agency outlook

The Hornets are close to the luxury tax and the team has already said it won’t pay it for a non-title contender so Charlotte has no options in free agency other than players who will take minimum deals. As for the NBA draft Charlotte does have the 11 and 55 picks. The Hornets desperately need to find a gem at 11 as they need upgrades across the board.

Burning question: Will Walker be a Hornet all season?

Charlotte has said it has no plans to trade Kemba Walker but if they cant find a way to make this team better will the organization change its mind? Walker is one of the games most exciting point guards and he’s coming off another outstanding season. His trade value is high and Charlotte could decide that one of the offers they received is too good to pass up.

Must Read: NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers open to moving young core for right offer

Outlook

The Hornets haven’t made the playoffs in the last two seasons and they are entering this season looking like it’ll become three. The team has too much money tied up into Howard, Batum, and Williams and it’s hard to see any teams wanting to take on those deals. The Hornets are trending down until they can get away from those contracts and start to overhaul the roster.