The Charlotte Hornets made a number of additions this summer with the signings of Jeremy Lin and Tyler Hansbrough, the trades for Nicolas Batum and Spencer Hawes along with the draft pick of Frank Kaminsky and now the team has kept Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on a contract extension. Players like Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams should have a very deep team in the east this season.
The Hornets played below expectations last season and that led to numerous changes, including the trade with Lance Stephenson going to the Clippers. The Hornets felt that Stephenson had to go after signing him to a free agent deal last summer and the team added Hawes in the move.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the team signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a four-year, $52 million contract extension. The Hornets also added Nic Batum in a trade for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson and the team feels that they will be stronger at guard and forward after those trades.
The Hornets signed undrafted free agent Aaron Harrison earlier this offseason and now have also added Sam Thompson for training camp, as Alex Kennedy at Basketball Insiders reports that Charlotte has signed Thompson to a deal. Kennedy reports that Thompson will be invited to camp and it comes after he played at Ohio State. Thompson comes in after averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game as a senior and he is an athletic player on both ends of the floor. Thompson shot over 45 percent from the floor while playing for the Buckeyes and he has a shot to make the roster out of camp.
Jeremy Lin was signed over the summer and he is expected to be the main backup for Kemba Walker at point guard. Lin was with the Lakers last season and played in 74 games, averaging 25 minutes per game. Lin signed a two year deal with the Hornets and he could get some solid playing time off the bench for Steve Clifford. Lin comes in after averaging 11 points and 4.6 assists per game with the Lakers. Hansbrough was also signed this offseason and he should provide some depth off the bench. Hansbrough averaged 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game for the Raptors last season.
The Hornets have also signed Jason Washburn and he could be in the mix to compete for the final roster spot on the team with Elliot Williams, Thompson and Harrison. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Thompson is signing with the Hornets for camp and it comes with Williams, Thompson and Harrison on partially guaranteed deals. The Hornets roster has 14 players with guaranteed deals now.
The Hornets should be able to have some versatility with the lineup this season, as the team has flexibility with Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Al Jefferson, Tyler Hansbrough and Hawes. According to the Charlotte Observer, Batum could start at shooting guard this season and Kidd-Gilchrist could play more at small forward. The team also has options with Kaminsky, as he can play both center and power forward with his size and athleticism.
Check here for more on the Hornets and the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist contract extension.