Hornets Free Agent Targets 2021: 3 Players to Pursue

The Charlotte Hornets' season was dominated by rookie sensation LaMelo Ball. The likely Rookie of the Year looks like the best player from the 2020 draft class and will provide highlights in Charlotte for years to come.

The Hornets have work to do after being eliminated from the NBA Play-In Tournament. They feature strong guard and wing depth, but their lacking frontcourt will hurt them going forward. Here's three free agents Charlotte should target this offseason.

Hornets Free Agent Tagets 2021

3. John Collins

John Collins is set to be a restricted free agent this summer but his future with the Atlanta Hawks is murky. Reports of tension within the locker room earlier this season could foreshadow a potential exit. That opens the door for Charlotte to make an offer sheet he can't refuse and put pressure on the Hawks to match it. The fourth-year big put up 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds this season while shooting 39.9% from deep and 83.3% from the free throw line. Collins' recent development as a shooter showcases there's potential still waiting to be tapped. At just 23, he and Ball would be an electric pairing who could grow into something special.

2. Richaun Holmes

Richaun Holmes is promising big man who has only recently burst on to the scene. After being a role player for several years, Holmes took on a heightened share with the Sacramento Kings over the last two seasons and produced. Holmes recorded career highs in points (14.2) and rebounds (8.3) per game this season. He's also the kind of rim protector (career-best 1.6 blocks per game this season) that Charlotte desperately needs down low. Of the options on this list, Holmes could potentially be less costly given he's 27. But he's also unrestricted (unlike the other players mentioned here) and makes a ton of sense, especially if he's more affordable.

1. Jarrett Allen

Jarrett Allen will be one of the most sought after restricted free agents this summer. He enjoyed a career year this season despite being traded, finishing with the best scoring (12.8 PPG) and rebounding (10.0 RPG) marks of his career. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man also provides great rim protection (1.4 BPG) and uses his massive 7-foot-6 wingspan to impact opponents' shots. There's a ton to love about his game, and he's got room to grow after just turning 23 in April. He'd be a perfect complement to the Hornets' guards, and his potential running the pick-and-roll with Ball is enough to salivate over. He will cost a ton, and the Cleveland Cavaliers can match any offer, but he's worth the investment as Charlotte looks to build a contender.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!

Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.