NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Charlotte Hornets

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Mar 18, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Marco Belinelli (21) reacts to a foul in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Wizards 98-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

1. A dynamic swingman

As mentioned earlier, the Hornets have a problem in the post. This problem is visible in the team’s rebounding numbers (particularly on the offensive boards) and their lack of a credible secondary scorer. The way teams are built in today”s NBA, that primary or secondary scorer is often the small forward.

Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Carmelo Anthony, and the list goes on and on. Charlotte’s unquestioned leader is their point guard. Kemba Walker is the guy, but who is his trusty sidekick? Batum plays the role, but he is more of a third-tier piece.

This is where a small forward with scoring upside is needed. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the second pick in the 2012 draft and is currently the second-highest paid player on the roster. Therein lies the problem. The Hornets financially overcommitted to a wing player who averaged nine points and seven rebounds in 2016-17. His rebounding total was the team-high, but the lack of scoring the ball is a big problem.

At a perfect height of 6-foot-7, Kidd-Gilchrist looks like the part. He physically matches up well against most of the aforementioned wings who get buckets consistently. Unfortunately scoring, 3-point shooting ability specifically, is not MKG’s strong suit. According to NBA.com, the former Kentucky Wildcat took a total of 618 shots during the season. Only nine of those were from behind the 3-point arc. Of those nine, he made one.

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Having a starting small forward who can’t help spread the floor is the most visible problem with the current Charlotte Hornets team.

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