NBA 2018/19: 3 worst contracts on the Charlotte Hornets roster

Since rebranding as the Hornets in 2014, the Charlotte franchise has been to the playoffs just once. While the team has not been among the worst teams in the league over the past five years, the Hornets have struggled to compete in a weak Eastern Conference.

In their lone playoff appearance in the 15/16 season, the Hornets were beaten in the first round, and despite a number of high profile acquisitions since then, the team has not been close to returning to the postseason.

The summer of 2018 once again resulted in a number of changes to the roster, including the exit of former All-Star, Dwight Howard, and the addition of veteran point guard, Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the summer changes have evidently worked for the team, as the Hornets have started the season with a 16-15 record.

Despite the team's strong start to the season, doubts remain over the Hornets' ability to contend in the next few years. Kemba Walker will next summer become a free agent, and the team is also riddled with vastly overvalued contracts.

So, here we will look at the three contracts on the Hornets' roster that could cripple the future hopes of the team.

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#3 Cody Zeller

Detroit Pistons v Charlotte Hornets

Cody Zeller was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, a time when the Charlotte franchise was still branded as the Bobcats. This makes Zeller one of the franchise's longest-serving players, although he has yet to justify his large salary.

The 26-year-old signed a 4-year, $56 million contract with the team back in 2016, although his on-court performances have improved little since his rookie year. The center's skill set on the offensive end is incredibly limited, and the Hornets man has only ever averaged more than 10 points-per-game in one season (16/17).

Ultimately, the Hornets are crying out for a dominant big man, and Zeller should be let go once his contract comes to an end.

#2 Bismack Biyombo

Biyombo previously played for the Charlotte Franchise between 2011 and 2015

Bismack Biyombo was traded to the Hornets over the summer as part of a three-team trade. The trade meant that Biyombo returned to a team that he had previously represented between 2011-2015, although the Hornets had to take on the player's four-year, $72 million contract that he had signed with the Orlando Magic back in 2016.

After a rough two years in Orlando, it was hoped that Biyombo could return to form in Charlotte, although the 26-year-old has barely featured so far. The center has yet to start in his second stint with the team, and in his 10 appearances from the bench, Biyombo has averaged just 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.

Due to the center's limited impact, it will be extremely difficult for the Hornets to find a team to take the Congolese player off their hands, and the team looks to be stuck with the two remaining years of Biyombo's contract.

#1 Nicolas Batum

In 2016, Nicolas Batum signed a huge $120 million contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets

Nicolas Batum was picked by the Houston Rockets with the 25th pick of the 2008 NBA draft, although he was quickly traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent seven years. The Frenchman was then traded to the Hornets in 2015, and after a year with the team, the Hornets offered him a huge five-year, $120 million contract.

In retrospect, this was a crazy amount of money to offer to a player who has never been able to transform into an All-Star.

The 30-year-old averaged 15-points per game in his first two seasons in Charlotte, however, so far this season he is averaging less than 10. Batum's contract will be virtually impossible to move, and the Hornets will be restricted in the trade market until his deal comes to an end in 2021.