The 2022 NBA offseason has not gone according to plan for the Charlotte Hornets. After the fired head coach James Borrego, they thought that they had landed Kenny Atkinson to be his replacement. Not even a week after it was announced, Atkinson changed his mind.

Instead of becoming the Hornets’ head coach, he will remain an assistant with the Golden State Warriors on Steve Kerr’s staff. Steve Clifford, who was head coach of the team for five seasons from 2013-2018, was brought back to be head coach again.

Player-wise, they could be without Miles Bridges. The restricted free agent isn’t signing with another team, but his basketball career could be over. He was arrested and eventually charged with felony domestic violence and child abuse. Just a few weeks ago he was looking at signing a max contract and now he may never play basketball again.

Even if they do not have Bridges in the fold, there will still be games for the Hornets to play. They will have to figure out what to do with his roster spot, but another position that could use some help is center.

It has been a need for a few years now, and one NBA executive believes that the team should look to acquire one via trade. Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers and Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs were two names mentioned by the executive.

“The Hornets have to get a proven defensive anchor if they want to be a threat next season. Mark Williams could develop into being that, but it takes time for bigs to get to that level. Someone like Myles Turner or Jakob Poeltl could be attainable. Both are on expiring deals and are playing for rebuilding teams.”

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Mark Williams, who was selected No. 15 overall out of Duke, has immense potential, but it will take some time for him to realize it. Having a veteran such as Turner or Poeltl playing ahead of him and providing him a mentor to learn from could help the team long-term.

Myles Turner has seemingly been on the trade block for years. Had it not been for a foot injury suffered during the season, he likely would have been traded already. Jakob Poeltl had a breakout 2021-22 season with the Spurs, putting up career-high numbers across the board.

Both would be excellent additions to the Hornets lineup. While neither will be able to replicate what Bridges provided offensively, they are both very good defensive players, providing the team with an anchor they have been lacking.

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