3 moves for the Charlotte Hornets to take the next step in 2021-22

Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball
NBA Analysis Network

The play-in tournament benefitted them, and the Indiana Pacers’ domination of them in a play-in game squashed the buzz in the end. But there’s no denying the Charlotte Hornets made progress this season. Beyond Rookie of the Year favorite LaMelo Ball, there’s a lot of talent in place (Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, etc.). In two of three seasons under head coach James Borrego, the Hornets have been somewhere around the playoff race. The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft brought Ball into the fold, and gave a long below-the-radar franchise a young star.

The Eastern Conference is not as weak as it once was, but it’s still looking pretty top-heavy going forward. The Hornets could easily make a serious push for a traditional top-8 playoff spot next season, and be the kind of team an upper seed would hate to face in the first round.

In order to take that next step in 2021-22, here are three moves the Charlotte Hornets need to make this offseason.

3. Take Best Player Available In The Draft

The Hornets will likely pick toward the end of the lottery, barring some remarkable luck with the ping-pong balls. CBS Sports‘ most recent mock draft has them taking Florida State forward Scottie Barnes, which would fit their need for a wing defender.

The Hornets don’t have to get cute with their first-round pick, which will likely land in the No. 10-14 range. Just take the best player available in what looks like a deep draft.

2. Add A Shot Blocker

P.J. Washington is a keeper, but the rest of Charlotte’s front court picture doesn’t look good. Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo will be free agents. so adding one or two big men will be an order this offseason. In particular, a rim protector has to be a priority.

As Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reminded, the Hornets pursued Richaun Holmes at the trade deadline. They were known to be interested in Myles Turner and Montrezl Harrell. They also made an effort to sign Andre Drummond on the buyout market before he landed with the Lakers.

Our own Brett Siegel of NBA Analysis Network suggested Hassan Whiteside as a target for the Hornets. Signing Whiteside would allow for a bigger splurge on another frontcourt player.

1. Sign John Collins

Collins is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but his future with the Atlanta Hawks is up in the air as trade rumors have surfaced. When it comes down to it, the Hawks may not match a big offer sheet he gets.

Collins somehow won’t turn 24 until September, so he would fit nicely into Charlotte’s long-term future. His raw shooting and scoring was down this year (17.6 points per game, 12.2 field goal attempts per game), as a nod to the tension in the Hawks’ locker room before the change to Nate McMillan as coach. But Collins shot around 40 percent from 3-point range for a second straight year (39.9 percent), while making a career-best 83.3 percent from the line.

Collins can further boost his stock with a good showing in the playoffs, starting against the Knicks and Julius Randle. The Hornets should be watching him particularly closely, and imagining how he’ll fit with the play-making skills of Ball.

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