The Charlotte Hornets are trying to strike while the iron is hot, continuing to build an exciting team around reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball as the 2021-22 season slowly approaches.
Early Friday morning, The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania would report that the free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to sign a two-year, $26 million-plus contract with the Hornets.
Oubre, 25-years-old, averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game while playing for the Golden State Warriors last season.
The athletic Oubre has developed a reputation as a strong defender and offensive threat over the course of his career, even posting career-highs of 18.7 points, 1.3 steals and a true shooting percentage of 56.0 while playing for the Phoenix Suns in 2019-20.
With Charlotte adding rookies James Bouknight, Kai Jones and J.T. Thor in the 2021 NBA Draft (though replacing backup guard Devonte’ Graham with Ish Smith), adding a player with Oubre’s scoring potential gives the Hornets a strong and balanced second unit that can mix-and-match perfectly with the starters.
As of today, the projected depth chart features Ball, Oubre, Bouknight, Jones, Smith, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington in the team’s regular rotation.
While Smith takes over for Graham, Bouknight replaces Malik Monk (who signed with Los Angeles Lakers), Jones likely supplants Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee is a more dynamic version of Cody Zeller (who signed with the Portland Trail Blazers).
Oubre, meanwhile, is simply an addition; an added dynamics.
After going 33-39 last season, the Hornets have a legitimate opportunity to improve upon their 2020-21 campaign, particularly if they remain healthy.
