JamesSokolove
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As I've said over and over again, the DEMS should NOT nonimate anyone over 60 for POTUS in 2020
The only way the Hornets will ever better than the bottom 2/3 of the playoffs is to tank and get a couple of great draft picks. Whether you like it or not, Charlotte is not a destination for free agents.
Not having cap space and not being a destination are two different things. OKC is not a "destination city", and neither is Milwaukee, but they have no problem getting FAs because they have money and/or potential to win. Cleveland and Houston are both shitholes yet they have been huge FA destinations recently.
If the Hornets had cap space they could attract FAs just fine, especially to hopefully play alongside Kemba and bridges. Gordon Hayward signed an offer sheet before it was matched. Batum turned down other offers to stay. Marvin Williams turned down more money to stay. Born Ready signed as a FA despite other offers. I would be surprised if Kemba left, assuming they offer him what they should. The cap space is the problem, not the destination.
So the key decision is what to do at the trade deadline. Marc Gasol is apparently available, and he has to be who the Hornets have to make a move for. The contracts work with either Batum or Biyombo, but Batum would be ideal because Gasol's expires next year instead of the following like Batum. A package of Batum + Hernangomez/Frank + 1st round pick might be enough to get it done. That would be a godsend for the Hornets because it (a) would improve them significantly this season and next to help keep Kemba and make some playoff noise, and (b) mean that all of the bad contracts would come off the books after next year, leaving over $80 million in cap space AFTER signing Kemba and Lamb, and still having Bridges and Monk under contract. That would be enough to resign MKG and add some significant other pieces or simply hold some space. I don't know if Memphis goes for that deal, but I think they strongly consider it.
Real story from last night was the interview with Malik's brother. Electric
Sporting News reporting that the Gasol talks are stalling. Reportedly the deal is Biyombo and either MKG or Monk. I would be annoyed if it was Monk, and that is hopefully the reason for the stall. I would also be less enthusiastic about it if it were MKG. Take Frank and a pick, you fuckers.