The Charlotte Hornets made the postseason for the first time since the 2013-14 season, losing in the first round to the Miami Heat. Though Charlotte's season is over, its work is just beginning. Eight players on the Hornets' roster are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in July. That's a lot of balls for general manager Rich Cho to keep in the air.
The team met with media on Monday, and the common theme everyone walked away with is that these guys love playing with each other. Head coach Steve Clifford has fostered a welcoming environment that should help Cho when it comes to re-signing his own guys.
"This is the most fun I've had in my six years in the NBA," Jeremy Lin said. "Being around a great group of guys and a coaching staff that really cares. I've learned so much about the game of basketball, particularly at the defensive end."
Lin holds a player option for the 2016-17 season worth $2.42 million. But with the salary cap expected to spike this summer, he is planning to decline that option and hit the open market.
"There's nowhere that I'd rather be," Al Jefferson said. "The things that this franchise did over the last three years have been amazing and I've been part of it."
Jefferson collected $13.5 million this past season but may be willing to take a more team-friendly deal this offseason. He's also open to coming off the bench next year as he enters his age 32 season. Jefferson has missed significant time in each of the past two seasons and hasn't played a full 82-game schedule since 2010-11.
But Charlotte's primary free agent concern this summer will be Nicolas Batum, who several teams will be bedding on once free agency opens.
"I don't know (what will happen in) a crazy summer for a lot of people. But why not?" Batum said. "I want to talk to them first, for sure. July 1 will be a crazy day, but will Charlotte be my first call? Yes."
The team's full list of 2016 free agents includes Batum, Troy Daniels, Jorge Gutierrez, Tyler Hansbrough, Jefferson, Courtney Lee, Lin and Marvin Williams.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
