With free agency looming and a massive price tag on the horizon, the Charlotte Hornets look toward Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz to provide perimeter depth and elite shooting.
The Charlotte Hornets traded for Coby White last season in a deal that landed them Mike Conley Jr. in exchange for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and two second-round picks.
The moves allowed the Hornets to be more competitive in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte made the second game of the Play-In Tournament, but its season ended in a blowout loss to the Orlando Magic.
White is set to head into free agency this summer, and it's unclear if the Hornets will re-sign the 26-year-old point guard, as he's expected to command a salary anywhere in the ballpark of $54 million to $75 million.
That's a lot of money for a player that saw 17 minutes of action against the Magic in the Play-In Tournament.
Adam Finklestein of CBS Sports projected the Hornets to draft Michigan power forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 14 pick before taking Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz with the No. 18 pick, which could help if White leaves in free agency.
"Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots," he wrote.
"Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. If Charlotte goes big at 14, they'll likely look for perimeter depth here with Coby White's upcoming free agency."
At the NBA combine, Stirtz told Andy Katz of the Big Ten Network that he's the best shooter in this year's class.
"I feel like I'm the best shooter in this draft, and I want to prove that," Stirtz said. "It starts with your work ethic and getting up as many shots as you can."
Start averaged 19.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the Hawkeyes last season. He shot 35.8 percent of 3-pointers, giving Iowa a strong presence at the perimeter.
Stirtz could be another young player that develops into an offensive talent for the Hornets.
With that being said, the Hornets might win more games with White on the court next season. But the price might be too much for Charlotte to pay.
