We’re in the beginning stages of the Charlotte Hornets' offseason preparations, and there are plenty of plots and subplots to follow during July’s free agent push. Here's what you need to know about their free agency plans:
Hornets will aggressively pursue Marco Belinelli
Charlotte was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, and they would like to address that need in free agency. They've reportedly targeted Marco Belinelli, who's a career 39 percent three-point shooter, as they guy they want.
Belinelli carved out an important role in San Antonio's rotation, though he saw his minutes diminsh last year. Charlotte would want him to be an impact player off the bench.
Hornets don't plan to bring back Jeffery Taylor, Bismack Biyombo
Charlotte did not extend qualifying offers to either Jeffery Taylor or Bismack Biyombo, making both players unrestricted free agents. Taylor only played in 29 games last season after serving a suspension for domestic assault, averaging 4.4 points per game, while Biyombo 4.8 points and 6.4 rebounds.
The Hornets have since used their cap space on other players, signaling neither player will be back next season.
Recent trades may be Charlotte's biggest offseason moves
The Hornets put together a major coup of a trade to open things off this offseason, dealing the underperforming Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers for valuable veteran swingman Matt Barnes and big man Spencer Hawes. They then flipped Barnes for Jeremy Lamb and sent Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson to Portland for Nic Batum. Those moves increased Charlotte's salary cap numbers by $5.5 million, putting them up hard against the salary cap - meaning they're unlikely to be major players in free agency.
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