The Charlotte Hornets will undoubtedly make an effort to act before the trade deadline on Thursday. It is uncertain, though, just what that something is.
Three untouchables are reportedly on Charlotte’s roster: rookie forward Brandon Miller, centre Mark Williams, and point guard LaMelo Ball. Everything else is up for grabs. That is, supposedly.
This implies that big player P.J. Washington and small forward Miles Bridges are both available. Although rival clubs like Bridges, none are showing as much interest as Washington, according to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.
Although the Hornets aren’t necessarily aggressively shopping Washington, Boone noted that “multiple teams have inquired about his availability and the Hornets are fielding more calls on him than any other player, per league sources.” Washington is a desirable commodity because, like center/forward Nick Richards, he has an affordable deal that appeals to other teams. Any team that signs Washington would be guaranteed to have the versatile big man for the following two seasons.
According to insiders who spoke with Hoops Wire, the Hornets have engaged in trade talks with every team in the NBA, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics. Bridges is reportedly one of the players the Suns wanted at the trade deadline, but it’s unlikely they have the resources to get him. Washington may step in as Boston looks for bench support in the interim.
“A league source indicated at least three teams are interested in potentially acquiring the 25-year-old Bridges, who has already told the Observer he doesn’t want to go anywhere else and prefers to stay with the Hornets,” Boone reported. “But because Bridges has a no-trade clause as part of the one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer, he can choose his next preferred destination. This makes his situation more precarious because Charlotte isn’t fully in control of the combo forward’s future.”
