With the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaching, the leaders of the 30 franchises are busy making the necessary transfers before the fateful date of February 9. Of course, the situation of each team is different, and it is specifically for this reason that we wanted to make a special deadline paper by franchise. Presentation of the issues, issues to watch, intentions on the transfer market… we explain everything to you. On the menu today, the Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets, rather buyers or sellers at the deadline?
If there is one team that is likely to sell a large number of players at the next NBA Trade Deadline, it is Charlotte.
Indeed, the Hornets’ current situation suggests that the North Carolina franchise will be among the biggest sellers for the next three weeks. We are talking regarding a team that squats the penultimate place in the Eastern Conference with a poor record of 12 wins for 34 losses. A team that has players that can interest ambitious franchises (we’ll talk regarding it a little further down) and that seems destined for a reconstruction around the nugget LaMelo Ball, currently injured in his ankle.
Of course, it is impossible not to highlight the Victor Wembanyama factor in the middle of all this. “The greatest prospect in history” is coming to the next NBA Draft, so if there is a season to tank and give way to youngsters, this is it.
The Hornets player(s) who might be transferred
In the category “players with a good chance of moving” between now and February 9, there are a lot of people.
From Terry Rozier to Jalen McDaniels via Kelly Oubre Jr., Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington or even Mason Plumlee, the Hornets can offer different profiles depending on the interest of the franchises with which they will discuss.
- Terry Rozier : scoring back who averages 21 points and 5 assists, under contract until 2026 for around 25 million per season.
- Jalen McDaniels : 2m06 strong winger who has gained in attacking impact this season and who can provide real service in defense thanks to his length and wingspan. Free agent next summer.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. : currently injured in the wrist but author of his most productive season statistically (20 points, 5 rebounds, 1.6 steals). In the last year of contract.
- Gordon Hayward : talented, experienced and hyper-intelligent winger who can make any collective more fluid. Problem: he never plays. And chaining injuries when you are paid 30 million a year (until 2024), it can cool more than one.
- P.J. Washington : 24-year-old versatile winger who averages more than 15 points, who knows how to shoot from afar and who knows how to defend, it may interest people. Restricted free agent in 2023, but the Hornets seem to want to extend it instead according to the latest rumors.
- Mason Plumlee : a guy of 2m13 in the racket, it can always be used, but please not as a starter. In the last year of contract.
???? Kelly Oubre and Mason Plumlee are the 2 most mentioned players currently in a transfer.
Rozier and Hayward have slipped into the rumours, the Oubre operation has calmed down a few franchises but it might be that Mitch Kupchak is finally getting motivated for this trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/y5zH7zGsos
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) January 10, 2023
The players coveted by the Hornets
When you’re regarding to activate tanking mode like the Hornets, you’re not targeting specific players (except Wemby next June of course), you’re primarily targeting picks de draft (and if possible expiring contracts).
If the Charlotte franchise actually decides to refourguer the majority of the players mentioned just above, it will be with the aim of better starting its reconstruction. The general manager of the Hornets Mitch Kupchak will ask for draft capital in any negotiation: first round unprotected, first round protected, second round… in short, there is a way for him to have fun.
You got it, the time seems to have come to lay a whole new foundation around LaMelo Ball.
