Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: Winners, losers, and shockers

By Paul Centopani

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game on November 29, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game on November 29, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Loser: Charlotte Hornets

They faced a doomed proposition. Re-signing Kemba Walker to the supermax would have kept them fighting for scraps in the Eastern playoff scene. Letting him go for nothing leaves them without any semblance of a franchise cornerstone.

Charlotte essentially swapped out Walker for Terry Rozier, while losing a useful Jeremy Lamb and not-so-useful Frank Kaminsky. Internal improvement stands as the Hornets best and pretty much only hope for betterment. But unless Miles Bridges, Malik Monk and PJ Washington turn into Larry Johnson, Glenn Rice and Kendall Gill, it’s gonna be a long couple years in the Queen City.

All things considered with both talent and salary cap health, the Hornets might have the worst situation in the NBA. At least their jerseys are cool.

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