Charlotte Hornets Complete 2016-17 Season Preview

The visiting locker room inside AmericanAirlines Arena was nearly silent on May 1, save for the bursts of elation echoing through the hallways every time the door opened.

Inside these walls, the stench of missed opportunity lingered like bad cologne trapped in an elevator. The most successful season in modern-day Charlotte Hornets history—48-34 record, three playoff wins—had collapsed amid losses in Games 6 and 7 to the Miami Heat.

But as Hornets players dressed for their final bus ride of the season, pockets of optimism began to blossom. As rough as the ending was, the journey was equally sweet. Charlotte had perhaps found something to build on, having been one of only five NBA teams with top-10 efficiency rankings on offense and defense.

There was only one problem—five of the club’s top seven scorers were headed to the uncertainty of free agency. At this moment, though, there was a tangible hope of keeping the gang together.

“Any time you make strides with a team…I think you do want to try to build on that,” Marvin Williams told Bleacher Report at the time. “You want to try to bring guys back, and I’m sure guys want to be back.”

A free-agency market flush with cash cancelled some of those plans. The Hornets kept two but lost three, and those subtractions threaten to derail Charlotte’s momentum heading into 2016-17.

Biggest Offseason Move

No matter how one views the totality of the Hornets’ offseason, they deserve high marks for keeping their top free agent in place.

Nicolas Batum, the 6’8″ swingman who paced them in points and ranked second in assists, had a superstar’s salary awaiting him in Buzz City or elsewhere. Charlotte pounced quickly, inking the 27-year-old to a five-year, $120 million pact hours after the market opened.

“Ensuring that Nic remained in Charlotte was a top priority for us this offseason, and we are thrilled that he has re-signed with us,” Hornets general manager Rich Cho said in a press release. “Nic brings versatility, skill and playmaking to our roster that complements all of our players.”

Batum’s offensive versatility allowed Kemba Walker to focus more on his own offense, and the former No. 9 pick posted personal bests in points per game (20.9) and player efficiency rating (20.8). Williams’ floor-spacing skills similarly elevated Charlotte’s entire offense, and the 30-year-old stretch forward received his own four-year, $54.5 million deal.

But Buzz City couldn’t afford everyone. The Brooklyn Nets snatched up Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks grabbed Courtney Lee and the Indiana Pacers tabbed Al Jefferson as part of their offensive overhaul. The Hornets settled for the less expensive trio of Ramon Sessions, Brian Roberts and Roy Hibbert after acquiring Marco Belinelli for the No. 22 pick.

Rotation Breakdown

With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back from two shoulder surgeries, each starter enhances another.

Batum and Walker ease the offensive burden the other carries, while Kidd-Gilchrist helps to keep Batum from overextending himself defensively. Williams, who buried a career-best 40.2 percent from deep last season, grants everyone breathing room, and …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com