This time around, the Charlotte Hornets are major sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Terry Rozier was the first domino to fall after being moved to the Miami Heat, as everyone is well aware. It made it clear that Charlotte wants to let go of its assets in order to take a different approach, support the youth movement, keep selecting and developing young players, and surround themselves with players they see as future cornerstones. The two players that possess the face of the franchise potential and are untouchable in a trade are LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. However, at the right amount, everyone else is available.
Which Hornets are heading where, then?
Although that hasn’t been decided, Charlotte has a lot of components that might enable certain competitors to advance.
Let’s first determine who is for sale. Perhaps the most sought-after piece is Miles Bridges. He is continuing where he left off, which was two years ago, when he was setting all-time highs in his career. Another player that organisations are looking to talk to is PJ Washington. Washington, a capable shooter out of catch-and-shoot situations and a versatile defensive player, could fill in gaps for clubs searching for a small ball four. If necessary, you could even play some centre.
Kyle Lowry and Gordon Hayward differ slightly.
Remember the seasoned players that are still in the lineup. Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry are both strong contenders to represent the buyout market as its faces.
Their respective contracts have the potential to financially harm a team. In the last year of his contract, Hayward will get $31.5 million, while Lowry will make $29.6 million.
Although a greater number of general managers likely view these as bad deals outright, they might also be throw-ins for future deals. which is what Charlotte would want to accomplish in order to get assets back. The worst-case scenario for the Hornets is a buyout situation, which regrettably appears to be more plausible for both veterans.
Where are PJ Washington and Miles Bridges going to end up?
For the past month or so, Miles Bridges has been connected to the Phoenix Suns. The rumour has picked up enough momentum to appear inevitable. Another person who can start his own offence and stop the best perimeter player on the other team would be useful to the Suns. He gives Phoenix a fresh perspective that they sorely need.
Phoenix benefits greatly from this transaction, while Charlotte does not. Since the Suns won’t have any more first-round picks for ten years, Charlotte might be able to negotiate a better price.
The Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings, who have been mentioned as potential suitors for PJ Washington, are the two locations that make sense.
To go with their best player, Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are constantly searching for shooters. Grant Williams is a possibility, but going ahead, Washington might be a better choice for them. Compared to Williams, he gets more shots and scores five more points per game on average. Sacramento also needs someone to fill the role of glue guy. Someone who occasionally has the ability to absorb minutes in the four or five place.
If any of the youthful parts are shipped off, don’t be shocked.
Though they might not be the best picks, players like Bryce McGowens or James Bouknight could be valuable additions to a trade. In the event that a team forfeits draft compensation, it might be the selling point. In addition to whatever veteran piece they get, they may place a wager on a young player and hope for the best.
