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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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 17: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball past Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated defeated the Mavericks 121-100. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Dorian Finney-Smith

Dorian Finney-Smith should be the highest priority free agent for the Hornets this summer. After being picked up by the Mavericks as an undrafted free agent, Finney-Smith, who was tagged as a 3-and-D player, never quite figured out the 3-ball that he flashed potential towards in college. After shooting around 36 percent in college from the 3-point line, Finney Smith has never managed to crest 31 percent as a professional. At the same time, he’s still taking a respectable number of attempts, to the point where the defense has to guard him at that distance.

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More crucially though, Finney-Smith is the best defender at the power forward available in the Hornets’ price range, and it might be possible to pry him away. Since the Hornets need to prioritize fixing the defense by means of personnel, Finney-Smith moves to the top of the list. Further, as a 26-year-old, he can viably be included in at least the medium-run plans. While there is overlap that exists between Finney-Smith and a few players already on the roster in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Miles Bridges, that overlap isn’t sufficiently severe to override the Hornets’ dire need for his skill set. Between filling into the position of biggest need, supplying skills of need, and being a potential long term piece, Finney-Smith is the best option for the Hornets, should they decide to look at players from outside the organization in free agency. He’s not a perfect option, but he’s the best bad option the Hornets have.

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