Draft night is finally over, and NBA discourse has turned to Summer League and free agency. Free agency officially begins June 30th at 6 p.m. ET, and it's time we begin to focus in to the pool of players, some of whom may become great players for the Hornets this season.
Mitch Kupchak recently mentioned in a press conference that the team will likely look towards veteran players to guide the team to their first playoffs since the Kemba Walker era. With that in mind, here is who I believe Mitch Kupchak should target in free agency:
Patrick Beverly
2yrs/4.8M
Analysis: Wherever Beverly goes, players and coaches alike rave about his leadership and desire to win. Right now it seems likely Chicago will offer him a second deal, but he may decide to follow the guaranteed 2 years of money, over just the 1 year minimum they will likely offer him. While he may receive little playing time behind Lamelo, Smith, Bouknight, and recent first-round draft pick Nick Smith Jr, Beverly can and will do everything he can behind closed doors to get this team the W's. He may even receive substantial playing time over the youth if we make the postseason, which Mitch Kupchak and co have made clear is their goal.
Jerami Grant
3yrs/58M
Analysis: While we have just drafted a key player on the wing in Brandon Miller, there is an apparent lack of depth at that position. As each day goes by, the likelihood of Kelly Oubre being back in teal seems to be shrinking, and Grant may be the perfect replacement for him. We would be bringing him in on a team-friendly deal, where he can get solid backup minutes which would likely increase come postseason. We also know that there is no problem should he get minimal touches, and that he is happy to be used as a catch-and-shoot player, as he has played alongside many ball-dominant players already in his career, such as Westbrook, Lillard and Cade Cunningham, which should help him slot in niecely next to Lamelo.
Harrison Barnes
2yrs/29M
Analysis: Right now, only 2 Hornets players have made any kind of noise in the postseason, Gordan Hayward and Terry Rozier (both with the Celtics). Right now it seems unlikely that either of those players will be in teal by the trade deadline, so the Hornets get a much-needed winning player in Barnes. He was a part of 2 historic playoff runs, with the 73-9 Warriors and with the Kings last season. He would be a great backup behind Miller and would add an aspect of veteran leadership to this young squad.
Josh Richardson
2yrs/19M
Analysis: Another wing option, this time on the cheaper side. Richardson was amazing for the Pelicans this last season and was a big part of the reason they made a push at the 1 seed (before injuries to superstar Zion Williamson). He adds great perimeter defense and stretches the floor well. This is a more team-friendly deal than the others, and is substantially cheaper.
Dillon Brooks
3yrs/36M
Analysis: Forget all the hate, Brooks was an all-defensive player last year, and could really help the Hornets on that side of the ball. He would be coming off the bench, and wouldn't be required to play the same role on offense and he had to for the Grizzlies last season. This kind of player is every coach's dream, and when you need a stop in the clutch, their is almost nobody in the league I would rather turn to.
Lonnie Walker IV
2yrs/8M
Analysis: After proving his worth on a minimum contract for the Lakers, Walker is due for a payday. He was an amazing role player for them, and he can help space the floor and give the Hornets some much-needed shooting, averaging 36.5% on three-pointers this last season.
T.J. Warren
2yrs/16M
Analysis: A certified bucket, Warren showed his worth during the bubble, but has struggled with limited opportunities since. This is a team-friendly, low-risk, high-upside signing for the Hornets, as T.J. could very well become a significant spark plug off the bench. He has solid perimeter defensive upside as well.
Matisse Thybulle
2yrs/14M
Analysis: This is a more budget option than Brooks, but gives a similar defensive upside. Don't forget the game where Steph Curry was going for the 3-point record, and this guy clamped him UP, forcing him into just a single 3-pointer made, during which he was not on the floor. This guy is a bonafide star on the defensive end. Imagine a lineup of Lamelo, Miller, Matisse Thybulle, P.J., and Mark Williams. Nobody is scoring on that. Period.