If you write any comments I do appreciate any suggestions. To get an understanding of the moves I made I'd suggest to read my explanation for all my offseason transactions.
This is my third "If I Was The GM Of The _: 2022 Offseason Plans" series & I will continue the series slowly. Please leave comments or suggestions to improve this offseason with. I will be glad to respond to any comments.
Sign Mike D'Antoni as head coach
Trade Gordon Hayward, Mason Plumlee, PJ Washington, Nick Richards, 2022 First(#13), 2022 Second(#45), & 2024 Second(Via BOS) for Rudy Gobert & Jared Butler in a 3 team trade with the Jazz & Trail-Blazers
Draft Jeremy Sochan at #15 in the 2022 NBA Draft
Resign Miles Bridges to a 4-year deal worth 120M
Resign Cody Martin to a 3-year deal worth 16.5M
Sign Rajon Rondo to a 2-year deal worth 5M
Sign Dewayne Dedmon for a 1-year deal worth 4M
Sign Kyle Anderson for a 2-year deal worth 11M
If the Hornets want to start contending they need to make a big move for a really good center. There have been rumors about them going for D'Andre Ayton, but in my opinion they should want Rudy Gobert more. The trade to get him goes
CHO: Rudy Gobert & Jared Butler
UTA: Eric Bledsoe, Keon Johnson, PJ Washington, Nick Richards, 2022 First(#13), 2022 Second(#45), 2025 First(Via MIL), & 2026 First(More Favorable with POR)
POR: Gordon Hayward, Mason Plumlee, Juancho Hernangomez, & 2024 Second(Via BOS)
Charlotte had one of the worst defenses in the league last year & they desperately need a lockdown defender like Gobert. Gobert has the ability to dramatically change a teams defense & he has shown no sign to decline. Gobert is also one of the best pick & roll centers, him & LaMelo Ball can easily become a top tier duo in the league. They do have to give up quite a bit of players, but Hayward, Washington, Richards, Plumlee, a first, & a second is solid value. In addition you get off of Hayward's big contract & you free up space for more players on the roster. Getting rid of Plumlee also gives you the ability to give a younger more promising center like Kai Jones more minutes.
Utah is looking to change up their whole roster by getting a bag for Gobert, & that is what this trade does. Eric Bledsoe brings mentorship for their younger guards & even though his contract is big, it is just for a year. Keon Johnson, PJ Washington, & Nick Richards are all young players with some good potential. All are on cheap contracts currently & can develop into the future of the Jazz. They also get three firsts & a second round pick. While they do have to get rid of Juancho Hernangomez & Jared Butler as well, they get players that are just as good as them & a significant load of picks. They might not contend next year, but with solid development they can definitely build their team back up.
Portland is in a desperate need to improve their roster. Time & time again their star Damian Lillard has had subpar rosters & he can't win a championship alone. Portland gets 3 veterans who would all play good minutes. Plumlee & Hernangomez give you two solid bigs so you don't have to resign Jusuf Nurkic. Gordon Hayward gives Damian Lillard a really good scoring vet to pair beside him. The Blazers also keep their pick at #7 this year & can select whatever rookie they want. Blazers automatically get better & if Dame is fully healthy they could be a possible championship contender in the West.
Next is the NBA Draft & the Charlotte Hornets only have the #15 pick. With this pick they will draft a lengthy forward that can do practically everything you need, Jeremy Sochan. Sochan brings an extremely talented versatile defensive game. While his three point shot isn't consistent it can be developed. The sky is the limit with Sochan, he has the ceiling to be a legitimate all star forward in this league.
After the draft I expect the Hornets to go after two underrated undrafted players. Obviously at this point before free agency they have plenty of spots to fill out the roster & why not test the waters with these young prospects. The two undrafted players I think they should sign is the strong & mobile point forward Kevin McCullar. While his overall game is somewhat inconsistent, mainly his shooting ability, he hustles for plays, can defend, can playmake, & excels at off ball scoring. He would be very good in a fast paced system like the Hornets. The next undrafted player they should pick up is Scottie Pippen Jr. He's a crafty combo guard that can shoot the lights out at times with good passing skills. He gets a lot of steals, but doesn't have optimal speed. He has a few flaws, especially because he's a smaller guard, but with practice he has solid potential.
Finally comes free agency & this is where the Hornets should spend some cash. Obviously they need to resign Miles Bridges & Cody Martin. Bridges was a very good starter for the Hornets last season & he only showed that he should get paid. I have the Hornets signing him to a 4-year deal worth 120M. Martin also brought a decent role & can consistency play a lot of solid minutes on this team while he continues to develop. I have the Hornets giving him a 3-year deal worth 16.5M.
Next, the Hornets need to get some more depth to their team before they can start getting into the playoffs consistently. First they need to sign Rajon Rondo to a 2-year deal worth 5M. Rondo brings good perimeter defense & playmaking off the bench when LaMelo isn't playing. He has shown he can still be a good playmaker & help run a team smoothly. Their next signing is to get Dewayne Dedmon off the bench on a 1-year deal worth 4M. While he may not get a lot of minutes on this team, he will be a mentor for Kai Jones & Jalen McDaniels. Dedmon is a solid shooting big that is also an okay defender & rebounder. Mainly will be used for depth & veteran leadership. Their last signing will be Kyle Anderson who not only brings veteran leadership, but can be a point forward off the bench. He's got everything you'd want in a wing & the Hornets will sign him for a 2-year deal worth 11M.
Before the end the offseason they need a head coach to get this entire team together. That coach will be Mike D'Antoni. He brings top tier experience by coaching the Nash Suns Era & Harden Rockets Era. He is a huge supporter of the speedy, half court, lots of shooting teams & would definitely max the Hornets skill quickly. Famously his offenses have been built around the pick & roll as well as three pointers which is perfect. Finally Michael Jordan's Hornets have the potential to be a finals contender is a couple years
Roster:
Starting Lineup:
LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre Jr, Miles Bridges, Rudy Gobert
Bench:
Rajón Rondo, James Bouknight, Kyle Anderson, Jalen McDaniels, Dewayne Dedmon
Rest of Bench:
Cody Martin, Jared Butler, Jeremy Sochan, J.T. Thor, Kai Jones
Two Way/G-League:
Scottie Pippen Jr, Kevin McCullar
Negatives:
Lack of skill outside of starters: Obviously this team doesn't have a talented bench. While they might fit well as a team, the versatility of different lineups will be difficult to do with this roster & injuries might crush this team.
Experience: Youth is great for a rebuilding team, but with this team trying to contend this next year they might be shown out in the playoffs with their limited experience. Also there is a heavy amount of younger players down in the lower part of the roster & development might be a little stuffed.
Thanks for reading! Please share your opinions in the comments.
Also, What Record Do You Believe This New Look Hornets Will Get?