NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 offseason targets for the Charlotte Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: Charlotte Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak introduces James Borrego as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Ed Davis #17 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

4. Ed Davis

Ed Davis is the best available back-up Center option. This slot could just as easily belong to Dewayne Dedmon, but in looking for what the Hornets need out of the backup, they need someone who can play the aggressive defensive scheme they run with Cody Zeller when he’s healthy. While Atlanta and Brooklyn both use their Centers relatively aggressively on the defensive end, and Dedmon was arguably used even more aggressively than Cody Zeller this past year, Davis has seen better success while being used aggressively, where Dedmon’s slow-footedness kind of hurts him. Combine that with Davis’ rebounding prowess and he should probably be the priority target, even if there will be inevitable gripes about UNC nepotism.

Davis would give the Hornets the ability to survive on the defensive end when Cody Zeller’s knees seemingly inevitably hold him out of games again. He’s a good enough stopgap as a starter when the Hornets need him to be, and as a back-up, he brings a change of pace that can still succeed within the existing system. The two things that hold him back from being an even higher priority are the ready availability of comparable options, and the higher priority need that has been multiple years running now at the power forward position.

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