The race for the Hornets’ final roster spot just got a little deeper.
Charlotte has 14 players with guaranteed contracts plus Elliot Williams ($80,000 guaranteed), Aaron Harrison ($75,000 guaranteed) and Sam Thompson (unclear guarantee).
Before trimming its roster to fit the regular-season limit of 15, the Hornets are adding another candidate.
Washburn went undrafted out of Utah in 2013. The 7-foot center has played overseas since. He wasn’t really touted as a draft prospect two years ago, and the biggest red flag is his lackluster rebounding for his size.
I’d guess the Battle Creek, Mich., native didn’t get any guaranteed money. If so, that would put him further behind the competition for Charlotte’s final spot.
Washburn’s best chance isn’t outplaying Williams, Harrison and Thompson. It’s the Hornets deciding they need more help at center. Al Jefferson will start, and Spencer Hawes will back him up. But is Tyler Hansbrough, Frank Kaminsky or Cody Zeller comfortable as the third center? I think Hansbrough can handle it, but if he can’t, that opens the door slightly for Washburn.
