Playing Keep or Cut with Each of the Charlotte Hornets' 2015 NBA Free Agents
The Charlotte Hornets, along with 27 other NBA teams, are sitting at home pondering every little move to be made this offseason. They need to figure out a way to become one of those final two squads still playing basketball into June, and it starts by looking inward.
Charlotte doesn't have any massive decisions to make in terms of its own free agents. Its crop is comprised of supplemental players, but each could play a big role on next year's roster depending on which direction general manager Rich Cho wants to steer toward.
In order for the Hornets to avoid another abysmal 33-49 season, making the proper decisions regarding their own free agents is imperative. This franchise cannot afford anymore albatross contracts after recently committing so much money to Lance Stephenson (three years, $27 million) and Kemba Walker (four years, $48 million).
This game of "keep or cut" will give us all a better grasp on what Charlotte's roster might look like heading into free agency.
Side note: Al Jefferson and Gerald Henderson will not be featured, as both have undecided player options for next year.
Bismack Biyombo (Restricted)
At first thought, it is believed that Bismack Biyombo is a lost cause. All it takes is a little digging to realize that is far from the case.
Still at the ripe age of 22, Biyombo quietly put together an improved season. According to Basketball-Reference.com, he posted career highs in per-36-minute numbers with 8.8 points per game and 2.9 blocks. His offensive and defensive ratings of 115 and 99, respectively, were also the best marks of his brief four-year stint in the NBA.
As Russell Varner of At The Hive noted, Biyombo also got stronger as the 2014-15 season progressed:
"Post All-Star break, his free throw shooting, long one of his biggest weaknesses, showed dramatic improvement, as he shot 68 percent from the charity stripe. On field goal attempts within three feet of the basket, where most of a center's shots would be expected to come from, Biyombo shot 65.7 percent. Of the Hornets top five lineups based on +/-, Biyombo was a key part of three of those lineups.
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We can't forget that Biyombo still has some developmental years ahead of him. He has not lived up to his No. 7 overall draft selection in 2011, but he is slowly getting better every season. Someone could definitely throw a lot of money at him this offseason since rim protection is such a coveted asset, but Charlotte would be wise to keep him around for the time being.
A defensive center such as Willie Cauley-Stein might be in consideration with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, but Charlotte is still thin at center behind Al Jefferson, who is also facing a player option on the last year of his contract. Going up to $6-$7 million a year for Biyombo is in the Hornets' best interest.
Verdict: Keep
Jeff Taylor (Restricted)
Taylor's 2014-15 season was one to forget, in more ways than one. It began with a 24-game suspension after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges, and things never got much better upon his return.
Legal issues aside, Taylor's place on this roster is murky at best. In fact, his status in this league isn't secure either. He is 26 years old and doesn't show much promise of becoming much more than he already is: a poor perimeter defender and unimpressive shooter who launches too many threes.
Taylor attempts nearly as many shots from three-point range as he does within three feet of the rim for his career. This might be acceptable for someone like Kyle Korver, but not for a career 31.9 percent outside shooter.
At this point, Taylor just has to hope somebody signs him. Charlotte already has Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, P.J. Hairston, Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams and possibly Gerald Henderson on the wings. There is no need for Taylor's services anymore.
Verdict: Cut
Jason Maxiell (Unrestricted)
Everything that was previously mentioned regarding Biyombo is exactly why Maxiell does not belong on this roster anymore.
Charlotte has to embrace its youth movement, and that unsurprisingly does not include a 32-year-old offensive liability. Maxiell is still a solid rebounder and defender, but so is Biyombo. There is absolutely nothing Maxiell brings to the table that Biz doesn't, aside from veteran leadership, which Charlotte already has in Jefferson, assistant coach Patrick Ewing and owner Michael Jordan.
Letting Maxiell go also frees up even more room for young bigs Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh. His intensity could be of some value, but you don't want two recent top-10 picks learning too much offense from a guy who scores 3.3 points a game. This money could be better used elsewhere.
Verdict: Cut
Mo Williams (Unrestricted)
This is where Charlotte needs to pony up some cash.
Acquired in a midseason deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Troy Daniels in exchange for Gary Neal, Williams lit it up immediately upon his arrival. He did his best to turn Charlotte's entire season around on his own, posting 21 points and 7.9 assists a game through his first 12 contests in town, earning him Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors.
Kemba Walker regressed this past year, and Brian Roberts turned out to be quite the unimpressive free-agent point guard signing. This team needs Williams back just in case neither one improves, and according to Sam Perley of Hornets.com, it sounds as if Mo intends on that being the case.
“Next year, the goal is the playoffs and [we] got to put together a unit that coexists with each other for one and get it done at a high level,” said Williams. “We do have some talent, especially some young talent. They develop the right way, they should be able to help this team.”
Charlotte is the worst shooting team in the league. Williams can hit threes. Seems like a perfect match, right? Surely, there will be suitors for Williams' services. There is always going to be a line out the door for veteran point guards who can drill threes and hold their own on defense. The Hornets cannot afford to lose this one.
Verdict: Keep
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