Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets center
Al Jefferson(25) against Denver Nuggets center
Jusuf Nurkic(23) during the game at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets
Status: Player Option for 2015-16
Position: Center
Age: 30
2014-15 Slash Line: .487/.000/.678
2014-15 Season Averages: 31.3 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 BPG
The Charlotte Hornets are built around All-NBA center Al Jefferson. He led the Hornets to the postseason in 2013-14 and is on pace to doing it again in 2014-15, but the Hornets only have so much to offer to keep him in town.
With a $13.5 million player option for 2015-16, Jefferson could enter free agency for a well-earned max contract.
Jefferson could gamble on himself by waiting for the salary cap to increase in 2016, and that would eliminate the Knicks’ odds of landing him entirely. He could also pursue a major contract while he can, which could be an option considering he’ll turn 31 before the 2016 offseason.
If he’s available, the Knicks should take advantage of the opportunity to land an offensive monster on the low block.
According to NBA.com, Jefferson leads the league in points scored via the post at 450 in 43 games played. That’s an impressive mark considering he’s missed nine games, as well as the fact that it’s 59 points higher than the No. 2 performer.
With a high level of efficiency—he’s converting at a clip of 48.9 percent from the post—Jefferson is the perfect offensive player to be the low block scorer in the triangle offense.
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