The Hornets and Pelicans need to be creative in getting help for Kemba Walker and Anthony Davis, respectively. (AP)

The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a former 20-year executive with the Nets, looks at the possible offseason plans and roster details for every team in the league.

Previous teams in the series: Nets and Suns | Timberwolves and 76ers | Magic and Kings

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Offseason focus

1. Get back to basics

Charlotte will need to re-establish its defensive identity, which faltered at times this past season. The Hornets went from ninth in defensive efficiency last season to 15th this year. Questions surround the roster’s physical toughness and if the players can implement coach Steve Clifford’s principles on the defensive end. The key is for players such as Kemba Walker to organize offseason workouts so the team can improve from within during the summer and not when training camp starts.

2. Build the bench, starting at point guard

The Hornets felt the absence of Jeremy Lin. Veterans Ramon Sessions and Brian Roberts were signed to fill the void, but they didn’t play more than 50 games because of injury and inconsistent play. Charlotte will need to make a decision on Sessions, who has a $6.2 million team option for next season. Declining the option would not give Charlotte cap space to replace him. If the Hornets go that direction, a backup point guard would need to be found in the draft or by using the team’s $8.4 million room mid-level exception.

3. Hit singles in the offseason

Charlotte does not need to make drastic changes to a roster that won 46 games a year ago and returned most of the players from that team. However, what the Hornets cannot do is be content and blame this past season on injuries and bad fortune at the end of games. Starting with the draft and into free agency, Charlotte needs to make positive tweaks but not blow up the roster or risk future assets for a short-term approach.

Hornets salary cap

Guaranteed 2017-18 Insider info

Nicolas Batum $22,434,783

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $13,000,000

Marvin Williams $13,168,750

Cody Zeller $12,584,270

Miles Plumlee $12,500,000

Kemba Walker $12,000,000 Extension eligible

Jeremy Lamb $7,000,000 Extension eligible

Marco Belinelli $6,606,060

Frank Kaminsky $2,847,600

Non/partial 2017-18 Guarantee date

Ramon Sessions $6,270,000 Team option June 29

Treveon Graham $1,312,611

Briante Weber $1,471,382 Aug. 1

Johnny O’Bryant $1,524,305 Aug. 1

Story continues