"John Hollinger wrote a winners and losers column for the start of free agency (he called the Hornets winners by the way). But one piece of it stuck out to me.
Now, we’re seeing a new phenomenon where some teams spend the summer prepping their rosters so they can wheel and deal the first week in February: by adding middle-class contracts or giving short balloon contracts to fringe players just so there is tradeable salary on the books come winter, or by lining up future draft picks so the Stepien rule doesn’t torpedo a blockbuster trade, or by managing the tax aprons so their midseason trade flexibility isn’t compromised.
That seems to be the method the Hornets are following. The roster is prepped to swoop in and poach a big name should one become available during a disappointing season. That’s when I’d be looking for the Hornets to make a move, and I’d expect to be a big one should they make it. I don’t think a regular quality center is the goal, and I don’t think there are opportunities out there to upgrade the roster right now. So we’ll have to continue to be patient and prepare ourselves for a nice helping of Mason Plumlee minutes at center for a little while."