Wanamaker joined Charlotte in a midseason trade from the Golden State Warriors, and while he showed he can be a serviceable player, he does not appear to be in the long-term plan for Charlotte. While he did spend the majority of the season at the starting center position for Charlotte this past year, Biyombo had a below-average player efficiency rating (11.76) and the lowest plus-minus on the team (-276). This would mean that Biyombo would be exiting Charlotte, freeing up space for younger players to contribute to the center rotation. Zeller would be worth bringing back next season as a backup big man if it can be negotiated to a team-friendly deal. As the longest-tenured Hornets player, there would be value in having Zeller as a locker room presence and mentor for the team’s younger members. This past season, he led the team in rebounding while also having the second-highest player efficiency rating (18.41) and the second-highest plus-minus (+41). While Zeller will likely not get offers as high as his previous contract (approximately $15 million annually), he can still be a solid rotational piece and a valuable veteran presence. With Charlotte looking to upgrade the center rotation this offseason, it seems likely that one or both of Zeller and Biyombo will depart. Of this group, three will be unrestricted free agents (Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, and Brad Wanamaker). Of the Charlotte Hornets’ full roster, including two-way contracts, seven players will enter some form of free agency this summer. Projected departures: Bismack Biyombo, Brad Wanamaker 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. That the losses are so big they will have major problems trying to figure out how to fix those holes.CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: Bismack Biyombo #8 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on May 07, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Add the contenders of the East to the equation and… yeah, it’s tough.īut, what about the most important part? Since the Warriors lost several members of their rotation, popular belief says their roster is worse than the last one who made them champions. Some teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves made really risky bets to be in the conversation.Īnd that’s only in the Western Conference. The youth of Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns should be even more dynamic this year. Franchises like Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets will have their best players back. There’s no doubt about it: the first items on that list have been met. But… is their roster worse than last season? Are they the team to beat? The Golden State Warriors are the defending NBA champions. The path that must be traversed to repeat the achievement becomes steeper due to the improvements that other organizations have implemented in their rosters, the evolution of their young cores and, more importantly, to how difficult it becomes to maintain the staff that eventually lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy. Despite being the last team standing during the 2021/22 season, the bar inevitably will rise. The Golden State Warriors will have one of the most difficult tasks an NBA team can have: defend the championship title.
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