To sign or not to sign

[yasuhara2241]

The biggest question that has come up in every single thread is: 

 

Should we stay the course and hope for a top 5 pick next year?

 

Or Should we be aggressive and sign quality FA now? 

 

Basically in my opinion it comes down to whether the FO believes we are going to get a top 5 pick. They obviously don't believe that. They believe with another year under the belt of Kemba, Biz, MKG and the addition of Zeller and the new coaching staff we are a team that is going to be around the 7 - 10 pick in the draft. 

 

We would be looking at maybe a Cauly-Stein type player but not the Wiggins, Parker, Randall player. 

So in their analyzing should they take the gamble that we somehow actually win in the lottery process or go after players that could impact the franchise more than a Cauly-Stein/Glen Robinson JR. 

 

If we were guaranteed a top 5 or top 3 I don't think we would sign any FA. But I would choose Al/(Mayo, Hendo, JR) over any player outside the top 5 and I think that is what the Cats are thinking as well. 

 

I have been wanting to wait and willing to wait for the 2014 draft, but think about it this way. Cho is a numbers guy. He is analytical, finding out the odds and the probability of getting pieces on the team. 

 

Right now, the probability is better with the known. The unknown is just a lottery. 

[MCC]

Not to sign! The possibility of having 3 draft picks along with salary cap room in next year's much better FA class is sooooo much better than being the 8th seed in this year's playoffs and losing out on young franchise players. 

 

Focus on 2014 when the Hornets return, not a mediocre team in 2013. I'd rather win 20 games with our young guys getting good playing time and build for the  future. 

[Zaximus]

As many as 7-8 teams will be tanking this year.  Do you like those odds?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

A lot of teams in the east are taking... There is literally a better chance that we end up in the playoffs rather than with a top three pick.

I almost want all those guys to return for their sophomore year so the Celtics, Sixers, Magic etc... will continue to suck.

[yasuhara2241]

So Zaximus and CP 8789 based on your comments it looks like you all are not for hoping for a top 3 pick. So who are the FAs that you both want that you think could make the team better? 

[GotSwag?]

As stated several times yesterday, the organization seems tiresome of waiting around trying to hit the lottery.  Instead, they are going out and getting guys that will make a huge difference for this franchise.  Everybody talks about a big 3, well..I would consider Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker 2 parts of that.  Both all-star potential.  One a PG, one a Center.  What we are looking for is a wing.

 

You add in JR Smith or Gerald Henderson, with MKG, Bismack, Zeller, and Taylor, and you have a very good young core of players to add with Kemba and Jefferson.  Next season, you have enough cap space to sign a big time player and you have the possibility of 3 draft picks.

 

Not that hard to see why the organization is going this route. 

 

so obviously..I say sign

[Zaximus]

 

So Zaximus and CP 8789 based on your comments it looks like you all are not for hoping for a top 3 pick. So who are the FAs that you both want that you think could make the team better? 

 

 

Jefferson would be a start, I know he has defensive issues but it's hard to find a big that is all around good and Biz's defense should shield some of that.  If we keep Henderson here, I'd go with what we have really (with Al ).  I'm sure we'll get some other guys to shore up the lineup that won't break the bank.  I'd be ok with bringing McRoberts if he wants back and isn't wanting too much.   But I think Kemba/Hendo/MKG/Biz/Jefferson starting lineup would be good and also at the same time give our guys more time to grow.  Sessions, Gordon, Taylor, Zeller, Haywood (and maybe McRoberts) can back them up.  I really don't think that's a bad team at all and our guys may even surprise us and we might have enough already on this team to be a competitor.  If we lose out on Henderson somehow, JR Smith or OJ Mayo would fit in too but I'd rather have Henderson.  

 

I didn't mean I wouldn't want a top 3 pick, I just don't think it's a sure thing, especially this year with so many tanking teams.  I think making playoffs in consecutive seasons would be huge for this franchise, even if it's 8th seed and first round out.  I remember the excitement when we made it that year, and if we made it again, it would just increase.  I think winning the city over is as important as building a championship team.  Hornets sold out for like 8 years straight and had the highest attendance rate in the league, and those teams were never great teams or playoff teams really.    When we started making playoffs (with Paul, West, etc) people were sick of the ownership and didn't go to the games.  It's not all about winning, it's nice for sure, but fielding a fun competitive team the fans can get behind is huge to keeping an NBA team in this city.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

So Zaximus and CP 8789 based on your comments it looks like you all are not for hoping for a top 3 pick. So who are the FAs that you both want that you think could make the team better?

To be honest, I don't care what we do... Most of the people on this board are under the influence that NBA Draft Lottery is rigged... if that's the case, the NBA will make sure we get the number one pick if they want us to.

[PantherMan89]

Not to sign. Just 1 more year

[kman72]

Sign, Jefferson is one of the best low post scorers in the game. (18pts 9 reb career numbers) He has always been overlooked due to his teams being very unsuccessful in his tenure. He is already the player that many wish we could develop (Zeller, Noel, Len) into.  His age is ok, he has played awhile since he came into league out of high school. It doesn't scare me much since he is not a player that relies on athleticism, he is a below the basket scorer with his technical and physical style. We are a much improved team already without him just with the experience gained and I believe the coaching staff adds 5-10 wins alone.

 

We could still end up with 0 picks next yr! The 2 picks we are owed are still protected outside top 8 and 12. So they wont be high anyway... I do not feel we are one of the 3 bottom teams, as we sit now probably a 30 win team. Magic, 76ers, Jazz, Celtics, Hawks are all worse than us at the moment. 

 

All that said I would like to add Jefferson, resign Hendo, resign McRoberts (1yr deal) and add a spot up shooter in Anthony Morrow, Brandon Rush or maybe look young cheap option of Seth Curry.