By Sam Perley, hornets.com
A busy offseason is quickly coming to a close as the Charlotte Hornets are set to begin the 2016-17 NBA campaign after finishing off one of their most successful seasons in franchise history. With the regular season quickly approaching, fans will be seeing plenty of familiar faces in the purple and teal while also getting their first look at some new additions to the organization.
At the forefront of the Hornets roster this season is sixth-year point guard, Kemba Walker, who is coming off a career year in which he averaged personal bests in scoring (20.9), rebounding (4.4), field-goal percentage (42.7 percent), three-point percentage (37.1 percent) and free-throw percentage (84.7 percent). Walker has established himself as one of the premier players at his position in the Eastern Conference and very realistically could be in line for his first-ever NBA All-Star selection this season.
Partnering with Walker in Charlotte’s starting backcourt will be Nicolas Batum, who joined the team last offseason following a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Batum, who was one of the NBA’s most highly-coveted free agents this past summer, turned down multiple suitors to sign a five-year extension with the Hornets in July. Along with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Draymond Green and Russell Westbrook, Batum was one of six qualified NBA players to average at least 14 points, six rebounds and five assists per game last season.
Cody Zeller enters his fourth NBA season as one of Charlotte’s main options at the center position after putting up career highs across the board last year in scoring (8.7 points), rebounding (6.2), blocks (0.9) and steals (0.8). Joining Zeller at the center spot will be two-time NBA All-Star, Roy Hibbert, who signed a one-year deal with the team in the offseason. The 7-2 big man from Georgetown University owns career averages of 10.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game and should be a valuable rim protector and defensive component for the Hornets this season.
After playing just seven games last year because of multiple shoulder injuries, forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is back, healthy and ready to go for Charlotte. Now entering his fifth NBA season, Kidd-Gilchrist produced promising results in limited action last year, averaging 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. Well-regarded for his defensive abilities, Kidd-Gilchrist could certainly be in the conversation for a spot on the NBA All-Defensive team when the season is said and done.
Also back for the Hornets is 12th-year veteran power forward, Marvin Williams, who signed an extension with the organization this past July. One of just five NBA players to total at least 500 rebounds and 150 made three-pointers last season, Williams’ ability to space the floor and defensive flexibility should continue to be a huge asset for the Hornets.
Jeremy Lamb also returns for his second season in Charlotte and should continue to provide quality depth at the wing position for the Hornets. A talented scorer who possesses exceptional athleticism, Lamb will be looking to make strides with his overall consistency and all-around game this season.
Charlotte will be turning to both Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes for frontcourt depth off the bench this season. Kaminsky, the team’s first-round pick in 2015, led the Hornets in scoring this preseason (11.7 points) while Hawes was Charlotte’s top assists producer (3.8). Although they are slotted at the power forward position, Kaminsky and Hawes are both extremely capable of knocking down outside shots, particularly from behind the arc.
Joining the Hornets via trade this offseason is guard Marco Belinelli, who was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in June in exchange for the team’s first-round pick. The Italian sharpshooter, who won a NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, is well known for his long-range abilities and should provide the team with another reliable offensive threat off the bench.
Returning to Charlotte are guards Ramon Sessions and Brian Roberts, who are back with the organization following stints with other NBA teams. Both well-respected and trusted by the Hornets coaching staff, these players should have no problem transitioning back to the roster based on their familiarly with the team’s playing style.
Christian Wood will also be a new addition to the team after spending his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers organization last year. An intriguing power forward prospect, Wood took advantage of opportunities at the NBA level last year and could be a great find for the Hornets, who added him via free agency this past offseason.
Guard Aaron Harrison will be looking to take a step forward this season after making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Training Camp last year. Another guard, Treveon Graham, will also be a new addition to the team after spending his rookie season with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League.
While a total of six players have joined the roster in the offseason, Head Coach Steve Clifford and the offensive core of Walker, Batum and Williams combined with elite defenders in Kidd-Gilchrist and Hibbert should have the Hornets primed for another exciting season of thrilling NBA basketball in Charlotte.