If there was an award for most improved NBA team, that award probably would have gone to the Charlotte Hornets. Last year, they won just 33 games. This year, they upped that number to 48, and finished with the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Although they lost to the Miami Heat in seven games in the first round, this season was, all things considered, a success for the Hornets.
The Hornets have plenty of free agents this summer, so it’s hard to say whether the core that brought them success will remain next season. The good news, though, is that Jeremy Lin, Al Jefferson, Nicolas Batum, and Marvin Williams –all of whom were key to Charlotte’s success this season– seem to want to at least look into staying with the team.
On Jeremy Lin:
Asked Lin if plan is to opt out, sign long-term deal with @hornets: "Yeah I think that would be the perfect situation if that could happen."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
Lin: "Me coming here showed that I was willing to come for whatever to find a situation I felt like would be best for me … on the court."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
Lin on money not being the biggest factor in where he signs this offseason: "I don't really care that much about money."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
On Al Jefferson:
Al Jefferson on possibly returning: "There's no place I'd rather be." Said he wants to end his career with @hornets and money isn't an issue
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
On Nicolas Batum:
Nic Batum on if he wants to return: "Why not? Why not. I don't know because it will be a crazy summer. (But) why not?"
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
Asked Batum what's his determining factor:"Who's returning on this team, who's coming back on this team. I had a lot of fun with those guys"
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 2, 2016
On Marvin Williams:
"There's no question. I want to return. I'll let it be known right now this is the most fun I've had in a season." pic.twitter.com/p2GvpIbTos
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) May 2, 2016
