Charlotte Hornets' Ideal Starting Five For 2016-17 Season

By Chipper Murphy

The Charlotte Hornets were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat in seven games after putting up a great fight. The Hornets are one of the best-coached teams in the NBA and are on the cusp of making the next step towards Eastern Conference title contender.

Before they can do that, they have important decisions to make this summer. Al Jefferson, Jeremy Lin Marvin Williams Courtney Lee and Nicolas Batum will all be free agents. Batum will command big money, but he fits well in Charlotte. The Hornets should do everything they can to bring back Williams and Batum.

 

Charlotte Hornets\' Ideal Starting Five For 2016-17 Season
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5. Center — Cody Zeller

Center — Cody Zeller Credit: Getty Images
It's time to let Al Jefferson go and give Cody Zeller the starting job. Jefferson is on the decline and Zeller is 23 years old. The young big man led the team in field goal percentage, offensive rating, and win shares per 48 minutes during 2015-16.

5. Center — Cody Zeller

It's time to let Al Jefferson go and give Cody Zeller the starting job. Jefferson is on the decline and Zeller is 23 years old. The young big man led the team in field goal percentage, offensive rating, and win shares per 48 minutes during 2015-16.

4. Power Forward — Marvin Williams

Power Forward — Marvin Williams Credit: Getty Images
Williams became one of the best 3-and-D players in the league at the best time possible, in a contract year. He has tremendous value as a playmaking four, leading the Hornets in 3-point percentage, rebounds and blocks in 2015-16.

4. Power Forward — Marvin Williams

Williams became one of the best 3-and-D players in the league at the best time possible, in a contract year. He has tremendous value as a playmaking four, leading the Hornets in 3-point percentage, rebounds and blocks in 2015-16.

3. Small Forward — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Small Forward — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Credit: Getty Images
The ideal situation for the Hornets is Kidd-Gilchrist coming back healthy from his shoulder surgery better than ever. He's an excellent defender but right now his strength on offense is limited to the paint.

3. Small Forward — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The ideal situation for the Hornets is Kidd-Gilchrist coming back healthy from his shoulder surgery better than ever. He's an excellent defender but right now his strength on offense is limited to the paint.

2. Shooting Guard — Nicolas Batum

Shooting Guard — Nicolas Batum Credit: Getty Images
Before this season it would've been crazy to suggest Batum was a max player but now it's almost a given. He had career highs in scoring and assists, ranking second on the Hornets in the scoring and first in the assists. They must bring him back.

2. Shooting Guard — Nicolas Batum

Before this season it would've been crazy to suggest Batum was a max player but now it's almost a given. He had career highs in scoring and assists, ranking second on the Hornets in the scoring and first in the assists. They must bring him back.

1. Point Guard — Kemba Walker

Point Guard — Kemba Walker Credit: Getty Images
Kemba Walker had the best year of his career. He had career highs statistically and it's only a matter of time before he makes an All-Star game.

1. Point Guard — Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker had the best year of his career. He had career highs statistically and it's only a matter of time before he makes an All-Star game.

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