9. Charlotte Hornets
Key additions: Tony Parker (FA), Bismack Biyombo (trade), Miles Bridges (draft)
Key losses: Dwight Howard (FA)
SEEING TONY PARKER IN A HORNETS JERSEY will be The Godfather 3 version of Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards. At the time MJ signed with them in ’01, Parker was an average looking 19-year-old kid about to begin his career with the Spurs. If he walked into a local Starbucks you might’ve thought he was a sophomore in high school.
After five championships and 16 years of 50-win seasons with the same coach, core, and franchise, MJ is now the one signing Parker’s contracts – one to play for the Hornets and the other to officially become a journeyman. He was always supposed to retire a Spur. I always thought he would just retire if he ever got fed up.
Swarm and Sting
At 36-years-old, Parker is coming off his worst season as a pro. He’s lost a lot of quickness and the results showed last year, averaging a career low in points and rebounds while seeing his PER, WS/48, BPM, and TS% totals drop to the lowest they’ve been since his rookie season. He can’t defend anyone and has never been an effective three point shooter. Although listed as the team’s backup point guard on the depth chart, Parker’s veteran leadership and experience are now his best qualities. He could be a stabilizing force in the locker room and is a good mentor for Kemba Walker.
Speaking of Kemba Walker, the former UConn Husky will be a free agent next summer and seeking a massive contract. Within the last few years, point guards Damian Lillard, John Wall, and Mike Conley were given massive contract extensions, and Walker will be looking for something similar. Jordan will have the room to sign his franchise player to whatever contract he wants, but he will have to decide if it’s worth it. The Lakers and Knicks will likely offer Kemba the 4-year, $139 million max, something Charlotte can counter with an extra year and $50 million under the current CBA.
That would eat up a massive chunk of salary moving forward, but in a small market that isn’t a hot free agent destination, you have to do what it takes to hold onto your stars. It’s a big reason Memphis gave Conley the richest contract in NBA history at the time – to remain competitive enough to keep the fans coming back.
As for the upcoming season, the Hornets may surprise some people. They are better than the dredge of the bottom of the East. Walker is one of the league’s most underrated players and the roster is full of athletic, versatile wings that can shoot and defend at a high level. Nic Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeremy Lamb, Marvin Williams, rookie Miles Bridges, and Malik Monk (Hornets fans, be patient – he reminds me a young CJ McCollum, who was equally poor as a rookie) all check at least two of those boxes.
The departure of Dwight Howard will also free up more minutes for Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky. While neither strike that much fear into opponents as rim protectors, both can spread the floor and are well-rounded offensively. It will be interesting to see how new head coach James Borrego uses his bigs. Zeller is phenomenal as a roll man, using his high IQ to remain patient under duress and not force anything. He has a great touch around the rim. Meanwhile, Kaminsky is basically a 7-foot shooting guard. He can handle the ball and shot 38% from 3 last year. If used right he can be a big part of an efficient offense.
Charlotte should be okay this season and will have an outside shot at making the playoffs. To correctly prep for watching ’19 Tony Parker, check out this picture of Shawn Kemp in a Magic jersey. Now imagine Rowan Atkinson had a Hispanic offspring that was 250 pounds lighter and wore a teal wasp in the middle of his shirt. I’m not ready for it either.
Hornets projected record: 38-44
Hornets chances of making the playoffs: 35%
Hornets chances of winning the East: 1%