The Charlotte Hornets are hyped up for the start of the NBA season. After seeing the clean flicks of the new squad, Hornets fans should feel the same way.
Media Day in Buzz City is the most wonderful time of the year!
New season coming 🔜#AllFly pic.twitter.com/hJs7PJWl61
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 27, 2021
On paper, the Hornets are set to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. From a few of the veteran acquisitions in free agency to the young guys picked up in the draft, they have enough to actually compete…maybe. Playoff spots aren't guaranteed. It could still be in the Hornets' best interest to add even more depth as there are still a few guys that could be good fits with this roster. So, let's dive in!
Harrell is one of those players who could essentially fit in anywhere. Yes, he is undersized, but Harrell plays like a man possessed on the offensive glass. After a down year with the Los Angeles Lakers, Harrell was part of the Russell Westbrook trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards. The former Sixth Man of the Year will likely have a resurgence in his play this season, assuming he receives more minutes. However, the Wizards aren't being talked about too much in playoff conversations. Even with Bradley Beal leading the way, the Wizards could still struggle down the stretch.
Harrell will likely be targeted by several teams at the trade deadline. The Hornets should be one of the first to inquire about his services. The Hornets do not have a dominant rebounder on the roster at the moment. They have more of a rebound-by-committee system, which allows teams to own them on the glass in some games—especially on second-chance opportunities. Montrezl would fit in flawlessly with a group of young guns and veterans.
After Kawhi Leonard departed from the Toronto Raptors a few years back, Pascal Siakam was looked at as the number one scoring option. Well, he didn't live up to that expectation. As a matter of fact, they have struggled to put points on the board at times. Over the offseason, Kyle Lowry left the Raptors to join the Miami Heat. Lowry was the heart and soul of the team for years, so what exactly is the Raptors' plan now? They aren't going to compete for a title, they cashed in their lottery pick for Scottie Barnes, and they still have some members of their championship squad on the roster.
It is time for them to just commit to the rebuild. Trading Siakam is the first step and the Hornets would be a perfect fit. Siakam's versatility on both sides of the ball should be appealing to the Hornets. He can come in and find himself as the team's first or second option. Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball are also the perfect pair of ball handlers to help Siakam find success in Buzz City. Both guards are going to make the best basketball play and Siakam is one of the best slashers in the league if put in the right situation.
The Raptors may still be looking to see if they can compete at a high level. Sometimes, it's a smarter move to count your losses and just start from scratch.
Myles was linked to the Hornets in trade talks throughout the offseason. He has struggled to stay on the court last season for the Indiana Pacers due to a slew of injuries. They were so many, his name was dangled in trade talks with the Hornets and a few others. The 25-year-old big man still has a lot of basketball left in him. Talks died down after a while, but it is something the Hornets should try to revisit.
Turner's shot-blocking and presence on the inside is something the Hornets have lacked for several years. Maybe even dating back to when Alonzo Morning played for Charlotte. The point is, having a true seven-footer who will make guys think twice before driving to the hole is a great luxury to have. Maybe the Hornets can initiate talks that spark some interest for the Pacers before training camp is over.
The Hornets' biggest holes all lie in its frontcourt depth. Losing Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo hurt the Hornets. Mason Plumlee and Kai Jones will be important down the stretch of the season. If they can get their hands on any bigs to help out those two, it'd be a great situation for the Hornets.
Other than that, there is no real need to try to upgrade the other positions. Both guard spots for the Hornets will likely be locked down by Ball and Rozier for the foreseeable future. Miles Bridges and PJ Washington will also be occupying the wings for a little while. Sure, you can upgrade from those two, but it'll be hard to find a considerable upgrade.
Either way, the Hornets need frontcourt depth as soon as possible.
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