Orlando Magic Daily
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Southeast Division offseason and outlook

By Zachary Bethel

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 16: San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) is seen during the Los Angeles Clippers 115-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center at the Staples Center on December 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Chris Elise/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets

Well, let’s start with the odd: acquiring Tony Parker.

With the San Antonio Spurs dynasty now at an end, Parker will not retire but instead move on to a franchise that will likely be remembered as a blip in his career.

That is to say, Parker may be a sneakier acquisition then some may think. Though the horizon may be near for Parker’s career, he may be able to help jumpstart a culture in the Charlotte locker along with new head coach (and former San Antonio assistant) James Borrego.

And this may very well decide star guard Kemba Walker’s future with the Hornets.

Kemba Walker, along with center Frank Kaminsky and swingman Jeremy Lamb, is only contracted through the upcoming season.

The Hornets have solid contracts in young players such. Malik Monk is locked in through the 2021 season. The 12th overall draft pick, Miles Bridges, is on his rookie contract through 2022. The rest of the roster primarily comes off the books after the 2020 season.

Regardless of Walker signing a new contract or walking when he enters free agency next summer, the franchise has set themselves on Bridges and Monk for the years after.

Considering the head coaching change, Borrego should let his guards loose this year. Between Dwayne Bacon, Jeremy Lamb, Malik Monk, and Devonte’ Graham, there is a lot of young talent to experiment with.

Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets /

Charlotte Hornets

On top of Walker and Parker, the group is a decent young backcourt to put out on any giving night. Borrego will need to sift through the talent within the position and maybe incline to help move some assets to help bolster the frontcourt.

On top of Marvin Williams, Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the Hornets may be just a few moves away from making a modest run through a weak Eastern Conference.

It will be hard to pin down what this roster will look like in the immediate future though. James Borrego and general manager Mitch Kupchak will use the upcoming year largely as a time of assessment, much like the Magic used last year with their holdover team.

There is also the trade which inadvertently replaced Timofey Mozgov with Bismack Biyombo. How do the minutes play out between Frank Kaminsky, Bismack Biyombo, Cody Zeller and Willy Hernangomez?

The Hornets though are at a crossroad.

Either the season goes well enough to convince Walker to stay or the team hovers around another 30-win year, grab a decent draft pick and hunker down for the rebuild the following year.

Many believe Bridges was a safe decision that should help cement a hole up front. Moving on from Dwight Howard was certainly for the best (which is an unfortunately oft-uttered phrase).

The Hornets are still angling for a Playoff berth but clearly see an uncertain future.