Hornets Offseason Progress Report
After finishing the 2008/2009 season with a 49-33 record and a first round departure from the playoffs, GM Jeff Bower and the Hornets should know they have some work to do. Their work, however, will not be an easy task as their hands are somewhat tied by being not-so-proud owners of the highest payroll in the league. Not a good time to own that title, especially in light of the tightening of the belts that’s happening around the league. So what grade does the Hornets’ offseason get at the midway point and moves need still need to be made?
Let’s set the scene here. The NBA’s Luxury tax threshold is set at $69,920,000 for the upcoming season while the Hornets’ current 13-man roster is set to make a combined $76,967,090. Let me make it a little easier and do the math. Owner George Shinn has to
fork over an extra $7,047,090 to the league already, meaning he probably won’t give the green light on spending the whole Mid-Level Exception. Hey, we’re being forced to work with what we’ve got (and we’re being realistic, right guys?).
So now that we know we probably won’t get A.I. for the full MLE, a less fanciful approach would be improving the team with much needed help in the form of a shooting guard, backup point guard, and backup power forward. The draft helped relieve some of these needs, and from the looks of Darren Collison (drafted 21st overall) so far during summer league play, it’s looking like the Hornets knew what they were doing. The Hornets went with the safe pick in the draft. With picks in the 20’s and later, teams tend to put more emphasis on drafting players that have “potential” which rarely turns into the steal of the draft that everyone wants to find so badly. Collison, although the 9th point guard drafted in the 2009 NBA draft, should serve as an above average backup. The reason why is because he’s a proven senior from UCLA and can contribute immediately. In his final season he averaged 4.7 assists and an unheard of field goal percentage for a guard of over 50%. He’s also lightning quick which translates into his ability to play good defense. He recorded the third fastest sprint time and second fastest agility time at the pre-draft combine. The only thing to be worried about is his size. He weighs 166 pounds and desperately needs to put 10 to 15 pounds of muscle on in order to ease my fear of bigger guards like Jason Kidd or Baron Davis being able to push him around like a little rugrat (I’m quickly growing fond of that as a nickname though). They also made a good move in trading their second round picks for 2010 and 2012 in order to add depth at shooting guard with Marcus Thornton (drafted 43rd overall). His forte is scoring so hopefully this guy scores enough buckets to make an impact on the roster, and the Hornets already signed him so that’s a very good indication about what he brings to the table. He’s a hometown kid from LSU, he’s got some potential (there I go using the P word on a late draft pick), and I’m really rooting for him.
The Hornets’ offseason moves haven’t been jaw-droppingly amazing, but patience is a virtue. My only complaint is they need to add some quality depth. If I’m Jeff Bowen, my free agent power forward wish list includes Fabricio Oberto, Glen Davis, and Leon Powe. Any of which can be had for about $3 million per year or less. The backup point guard position is taken care of thanks to Darren Collison, and the need for a shooting guard is still there, but I believe a trade deadline deal will most likely be what brings a quality 2 guard to New Orleans.
Progress Report: B-
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One Comment
looks good guys… keep up the good work… Am I the first comment ever?!?