OK, so we all appear to have perked up remarkably fast. It’s good to see that Hornets fans are resilient. Since people seem to be interested in discussing the future in the previous post, I’m going to start a thread. We are definitely in the market to upgrade the bench, particularly at SF and SG. Backup PF to play behind David West and a decision on whether Hilton Armstrong’s going to be enough to backup TC in the future, or whether we dump our umpteen centers-Byron-doesn’t-trust for one good guy, are also considerations. If Pargo doesn’t opt to stay, we need another point guard.
We’ve got Melvin Ely ($890K), Jannero Pargo ($2M), Chris Andersen ($1.2M), Ryan Bowen ($1M), and Bonzi Wells ($2.2M) who could walk. We have Mike James ($6M) and Rasual Butler ($3.6M) who we might be looking to dump because of their large salaries/limited playing time.
Keep in mind the Hornets’ major priority is signing Chris Paul to an extension this summer, since he’s still on his rookie contract, and they’ve already said they’ll be giving him whatever he wants. They’re also looking to extend Byron Scott.
Here are some free agents available (I’m sticking to the ones that I’ve seen tossed around and are mildly realistic):
- Chris Duhon, PG (depending on whether Chicago wants to draft Beasley or Rose with their #1 pick)
- Eduardo Najera, PF
- Monta Ellis, SG (pipe dream, people, his price will go up)
- Matt Barnes, PF
- Mickael Pietrus, SF
- Elton Brand, PF (cannot afford)
- Corey Maggette, SF (cannot afford, but Byron Scott apparently has always liked him and might pull something to get him)
- DeSagana Diop, C
- Stromile Swift, PF
- CJ Miles, SG (restricted but real young)
- Josh Childress, SF (restricted, but if the Hawks are willing to deal…)
Update: Hornets247’s analysis of what we could get with our slightly crappy 27th pick is here.
Discuss.
The only player on that list that I know-and-like is Najera. I dont have much of an opinion on the rest.
Najera looked like one of the few who put in an effort in that series…
Najera is not ‘fire off the bench’ but he is pretty reliable.
Whatever right now. My head’s not 100% clear yet.
How old is Corey Maggete? ticktock, do you think the team needs only new bench guys or we might change something in the starting lineup?
I like Najera as well, I just don’t think he could fill the scorer role from the bench.
Vilmar– Maggette is 28. And I personally think they should stick with looking at the bench. From what I can tell, Najera would be like an upgraded Bowen, although Bowen costs way less.
Najera was actually a scorer during his days in college. He’s pretty old, but he’s all hustle, which he does very well. Very big fan of him especially since he was the only player playing defense in Don Nelson’s Mavericks. Not a key player, but definitely a solid role player.
For actual needs, I’m actually saying a PF. As for right now, our squad has solid/adequate backups in the other positions, but we’re overutilizing DX with way too many minutes. DX has had injuries before, and we need to secure our main man for just preventative sakes.
You know, I think we should work pretty hard on scouting the foreign leagues right now. This is what a lot of teams do with picks like 27and 54, because all the American college players are little bit more known and Gms are always nervous about how those guys will compete in the NBA. Nonetheless, a lot of great players have come from overseas.
As much as it hurts me to say it, one of he teams that has best managed this position is the San Antonio Spurs. Tony Parker was the 28th pick in the first round (France) and Manu was the 28th pick in the second round (Argentina) (different years). Not bad models.
T.P. this morning says Pargo’s going to opt out and see what’s out there. But he may end up signing back with the Hornets if no better situation arises. Guess we’ll see.
Ben Gordon is a restricted free agent this summer. In the playoffs, it was clear that the Hornets desperately needed another consistent scoring option. Mo Pete and Pargo could not be counted on night in and night out. Ben Gordon is a legit scorer who can come off the bench or the starting lineup. Most likely we would bring him off the bench since and starting him and CP3 would give up a lot of size. He can slash the lane and he’s also a decent three point shooter. I don’t know how possible this is because of cap space, but I think he would fit.
Before we start looking at all these good bench guys that will cost us some money. We need to look at cheap white boys we can pick up. In other words, pure shooters. Our bench cannot shoot for crap. I’d also like if we find a back up for D West that can also hit that 18 foot jump shot too. Our big men, other than West, are way too limited.
I wonder if they’d check out some of the international guys then? To get the bargains we’re going to need.
I also wonder if the team will have any interest in bringing back Marquinhos or Adam Haluska, both who played with the team this year, were traded, and then released by their new teams…
After trading our draft picks and opening some roster spaces hopefully we can pick up a few role players. Gut says Pargo will resign. Diop would provide some much needed beef and defense under the basket spelling TC. It may be hard ,but James Posey is also a free agent and would be great splitting time with Peja because of his shooting ,and more importantly his defense. If not Maggette could be someone to look at.Barnes would be a nice pick up if the price is right, he can shoot and create his own shot.
Is this gonna end someday??