The Charlotte Hornets had a miserable 2022–23 season, and this is why they'll sign three top players this 2023
The Charlotte Hornets may have had a miserable 2022–23 season. Still, they have pieces that should make a quick turnaround possible, particularly if they meet the most significant need on their roster in the offseason.
Since LaMelo Ball will continue to work for them for the foreseeable future, they aren't starting from zero in their efforts to rebuild. The Hornets still have Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier in the lineup.
Their performances should advance once their franchise point guard avoids the injury virus. Of course, they can trade one of those two instead, allowing them to increase their depth or add more draught choices. Still, even if they decide to hold firm, the Hornets should have at least three reliable players who can help them win basketball games.
Furthermore, a prominent young man Mark Williams has just begun to show that the Hornets weren't crazy to retain him over Jalen Duren and that bigger things are yet to come for him. Additionally, Nick Richards has been a reliable reserve center.
The Hornets' collection of top players under contract for the upcoming season seems to stop there. While the team's young players, like James Bouknight and Kai Jones, need more time to be ready to contribute to a team with playoff hopes, Cody Martin endured a season marred by injuries.
Here are three upcoming free agents who the Hornets must re-sign in the 2023 NBA free agency in light of their problematic lack of depth, particularly if they fail to land other marquee players who could help them improve their scoring punch.
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Kellie Oubre Jr.
It overflows when it rains. The Hornets also lost Kelly Oubre Jr. to a hand injury in late December as they struggled to adjust to life without Miles Bridges and as LaMelo Ball dealt with foot injuries. Ultimately, Oubre missed 24 consecutive games, ending the left wing's career year.
In 48 games played during the 2022–23 season, Oubre averaged 5.2 rebounds, 20.3 points, and 1.4 steals per game, stepping up and carrying a heavier offensive burden in light of the Hornets' injury issues.
However, those stats might make Oubre more expensive than anticipated; after all, 20-point scorers are rare, particularly those who are 6'7" tall with a 7'2" wingspan.
However, Oubre has always been the most effective scorer. His output for the Hornets this past season might translate poorly to a group with aspirations of competing. Only one season after trading away a conditional first-round selection for Oubre, even the Golden State Warriors gave up on him.
Consequently, why should the Hornets acquire Oubre again? The answer is straightforward: he should continue to be well worth the price for the kind of money he would demand in free agency and the part he would play for a depleted Hornets team.
A 20-point scorer they own the avian rights to cannot be wasted by a team that is dead last in offensive rating.
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PJ Washington
On paper, PJ Washington appears to be a tempting small-ball choice at the five because of his good outside shooting and surprising mobility for a man of his size (6'7). Washington also provides the Hornets the defensive versatility to compete with perimeter-focused offenses for periods.
However, the Hornets coaching staff has chosen to use the 24-year-old at the four over the past two seasons because Washington can't defend certain critical matchups as the five-man.
Given that Washington was the subject of trade rumors throughout the 2022–23 season, there have been hints that the Hornets may be losing interest in the Kentucky native after four seasons as a player.
However, even in that case, the Hornets would be wise to retain Washington, if only to safeguard a valuable asset that could be used as a trade chip or as a player on the team's upcoming contending roster.
Given his career trajectory to date, Washington shouldn't demand a huge contract either; a four-year deal worth $50–52 million, as the Hornets allegedly offered him before the season started, should be a reasonable offer for him.
Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. will likely never learn to make a consistent three-point shot at this juncture. That could have highlighted his defense, slashing, and playmaking skills.
Even so, Smith had demonstrated the ability to put together periods of creative floor general play, particularly early in the season when LaMelo Ball wasn't available.