The New Orleans Hornets need to focus on gaining another center and a stretch forward during free agency and gain some guard play in the draft. The players that look to be good fits for the free agency category would be Jeff Green and Greg Oden.
First, Jeff Green made his reputation felt in OKC when he came in and played his role correctly to the tune of averaging about 15 points a game as well as collecting about 5 rebounds per game.
This would be a good pick up because he has the ability to play the SG, SF or PF at any point in games and the hornets need that kind of versatility. Also, he is a strong player so he can play defense and score against anyone and will not get roughed up so this is priority number one.
Now, most people who read this are probably wondering why I would put Oden in the mix for players the hornets need to get. Here are a couple reasons why the Hornets need to give Oden a chance.
1. He is athletic
We all remember the years when CP3 was throwing alley-oops to Tyson Chandler like it was nothing, as well as being able to get over other centers to get many tip out rebounds that Chandler used to get, well here is a player who is athletic enough to be able to fit into that mold because Okafor, too short and not nearly athletic enough to do that as much as Chandler has and it has shown, and Gray, no where near the athletic stand point, are both not near the skill set that Chandler was for the Hornets.
2. He can play defense
Again, another Chandler comparison, Chandler was a great shot blocker for the Hornets and would be able to change opponent’s shots with ease as well as cleaning the defensive boards because the games against the Lakers have proven that Okafor cannot compete with on the defensive end.
I’m not expecting Oden to be a great scorer, if you notice on these reasons, they are fundamental things that great centers of this generation have. Look at Chandler now with the Mavs, Howard with the Magic, Garnett with the Celtics and list goes on. This would be just a try and see type deal because he has the skill set, just has not been able to play due to injury so if the Hornets sign him, it would probably be a one-year contract with a team option for the second season if he performs well.
Next, the hornets need to get a consistent shooter in the NBA draft. Nothing against Marco and Willie, but they are very inconsistent when it comes to their shooting. They both have three or four game stretches of amazing shooting then they cool off for the next few. I can see the hornets eyeing Doron Lamb of UK or Josh Selby of KU to fill that need. The Hornets should resign Willie for his defensive ability and Marco for depth on the bench or at least an invitation to training camp to see if he cannot earn his spot.
The Hornets would go ahead and resign Landry and hope to see West accept his player option. The Hornets would let go Banks for sure and probably give training camp invites to Mbenga and Smith. Remember David Anderson is under contract still through next year.
This is how the roster would look for next year for the first game (Notice I did not give Mbenga or Smith a spot).
PG: Paul/Jack
SG: Draftee/W. Green/Belinelli
SF: Ariza/ J. Green/ Pondexter
PF: West/Landry/Anderson
C: Okafor/Oden/Gray
5 responses to “Offseason approach for free agency and draft”
Good article, but I must say, I doubt the draft pick at SG would be good enough to fill in right away. Also, Oden, West, Landry, Belli, Green, and Wille would be too expensive. About Oden… I’ve thought about it, and he’s a stud when he’s healthy, but thats the thing, he’s NEVER healthy. But nice ideas. I like J. Green alot. Here’s how I see it:
Paul/Jack
Belinelli/(CJ Miles/Jamal Crawford/etc.)
Ariza/Green
West/Landry
Okafor/Gray/draft pick
i dont see those 14 players on the team next year, more than likely anderson and beli are gone and willie will stay for his defense and im thinking that oden will not have a lot of money coming at him any time soon due to the fact that he hasnt proven that he is durable enough to hang in the NBA but the big issue is the post defense so thats why oden would be a good fit there and jamal crawford is too expensive of a player for the hornets to get, i know he is explosive so the hornets can go two directions with his position on the team, either just go get him and cut willie and beli and go for a draft pick or dont get him, but i feel as though oden is a risk worth taking because more than likely the hornts will do a sign a trade with orlando next summer to get okafor there and howard here so why not try oden out as a back up and if he workd out, monty has more weapons for his choosing. This is how i can see an agreement between this here:
Paul/Jack
Jamal Crawford/draftee
Ariza/J. Green/Pondexter(if not sent to celtics in sign and trade for J. Green)
West/Landry
Okafor/Oden/Gray
I would love it if this came true. Since we are in the hypothetical world, what would your contract offers be to those 3 guys- Green, Landry, and Oden? How much do you think each one will cost per year?
As i thought about it, I thought that the hornets could do something to level of what cmac said. i fel that Green is a role player and deserves the qualifying offer to as most as 8 mil per year for about 3 years. Then Landry could have a 3 year deal making 6-7 mil as cmac said. Oden is another story, I see that how he has played will make him want some money even though he has been hurt, I would say give him a one year/8 million dollar contract with a team option for the next year and I do that because it would give the hornetsa chnace to evaluate a player who has not been durable in his career.
Personally I think you offer Jeff Green right around his qualifying offer (5.9 mil) so somewhere between 6-6.5 mil. Carl Landry is probably worth around that much as well, so between 6-7 mil for him. As for Oden he may get no offers or a young team might throw some money at him just for the potential (Raptors maybe if they get rid of Bargnani), but I wouldn’t give Oden more than 6 mil on a long term contract due to the injury risk.
I’m sure if we sign Jeff Green we could ship Anderson off for a 2nd rounder since Green can slide over and play some PF if needed, and that would save 2 mil right there.