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

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford reacts on the bench against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford reacts on the bench against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) calls a play as he dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) calls a play as he dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dion Waiters, SG, Miami Heat

During Charlotte’s successful campaign in 2015-16, what was one of the biggest positives? Their guard play from both Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin. The threat for both guards to penetrate and score off the dribble was huge for the Hornets. They missed out on that this past season when Lin took his talents to Brooklyn.

In free agency Charlotte needs to try and replicate that with a different shooting guard. Dion Waiters was fantastic for the Miami Heat down the stretch of the season. Combined with Goran Dragic, they were both able to score in penetration and off the dribble. Waiters should be able to do the same damage with Walker next to him instead of Dragic.

This past season, Waiters averaged 15.8 points and 4.3 assists per game on 42 percent shooting. He isn’t a great 3-point shooter, but he’s drastically improving, working it all the way up to 40 percent in 2016-17. The Miami shooting guard was fantastic down the stretch of big games, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot against the Warriors and Cavaliers.

Charlotte was particularly poor in the closing moments of games this past season, as they ended the season 0-9 in games decided by three points or less. They were also 0-6 in overtime games this past season. Not saying that Dion Waiters would save all of those games, but he could certainly make a difference, alleviating some pressure off of Kemba Walker.

Dion Waiters is likely to be heavily pursued after he exercised his player option. He’ll draw lots of interest and potentially receive a large contract. Charlotte will have to do some maneuvering to clear the cap space that Waiters will eat up, or Michael Jordan will just have to open up his pockets.

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