NBA Trade Rumors: What the Hornets Could Be Shopping For

With the Charlotte Hornets currently sitting at 13-18, just 3.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference it’s time to start looking at some potential trade targets

NBA Trade Rumors

With the NBA trade deadline just around the corner, there are bound to be plenty of rumors swirling around about which teams are looking to make a move and what they might be shopping for. One team that could be active on the trade market is the Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets currently sit at 19-22 on the season, which has them in 10th place in the Eastern Conference While they are only three games back of the eighth seed, it seems unlikely that they will be able to make a serious push for the playoffs given their current roster construction. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them look to make a move or two before the deadline in order to improve their chances of being competitive next season.

One player who has been mentioned as a possible trade target for Charlotte is Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope is averaging 12.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game this season and is in the final year of his contract. He would provide the Hornets with some much-needed shooting and perimeter defense which are both areas of need for Charlotte.

Another player who has been linked to the Hornets is Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon Gordon is averaging 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season and is still just 23 years old. He would be a nice building block for the future for Charlotte and could be had for a relatively reasonable price given that he is still on his rookie contract.

These are just two of the many names that have been mentioned as potential targets for Charlotte ahead of Thursday’s Trade Deadline It will be interesting to see if the Hornets end up making any moves and what those moves might entail.

What the Hornets Could Be Shopping For

The Charlotte Hornets are an NBA team that is currently in rebuild mode. They have a lot of young talent, but they are still missing some key pieces to be a playoff contender. The Hornets could be active at the trade deadline and here are some of the players they could be shopping for.

The Hornets could use a veteran point guard to mentor their young guards. They have been linked to Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors and George Hill of the Sacramento Kings Both players would be great fits for the Hornets, but it remains to be seen if either team is willing to trade them.

The Hornets could also use some help in the frontcourt. They have been linked to Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons and Pau Gasol of the San Antonio Spurs. Both players would be great fits for the Hornets, but it remains to be seen if either team is willing to trade them.

The Hornets could also use some depth at the wing position They have been linked to Kent Bazemore of the Atlanta Hawks and Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls Both players would be great fits for the Hornets, but it remains to be seen if either team is willing to trade them.

Only time will tell what the Hornets will do at the trade deadline but they could definitely use some help in order to become a playoff contender in the near future.

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are one of several teams that could be active ahead of the February 6th trade deadline The Hornets are currently 19-22 and sit in eleventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte is only four games back of the eighth seed and with a little help, could easily find themselves back in the playoff mix.

The Hornets have already made one move this season, acquiring guard Malik Monk from the Suns in December. Monk has not been a big impact player for Charlotte so far this season, averaging just 4.7 points per game in eleven appearances.

Charlotte’s most likely move ahead of the deadline will be to try and unload one of their bad contracts. The Hornets currently have several players on the books who are overpaid and/or underperforming. Trading one or more of these players could free up some much-needed cap space and also help them acquire some talent in return.

Some of the players who could be on the move include center Cody Zeller (owed $15 million over the next two seasons), forward Marvin Williams ($13 million owed through 2020), and guard Nicolas Batum ($24 million owed through 2020). All three of these players re Playing significant roles for the Hornets this season but their contracts could be seen as albatrosses by other teams.

The Hornets may also look to move point guard Kemba Walker before he hits Free agency next summer. Walker is Charlotte’s best player and is averaging 22.8 points and 5.9 assists per game this season. However, Walker will be a coveted free agent next offseason and the Hornets may not want to risk losing him for nothing. Walker would undoubtedly fetch a hefty return on the trade market but it remains to be seen if the Hornets would actually pull the trigger on a deal involving their franchise player.

Charlotte will likely be active leading up to the trade deadline but it remains to be seen what kind of moves they will make. The Hornets have some expiring contracts that could be attractive to other teams but also risk losing one of their best players if they trade Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker

The Charlotte Hornets are one of the most fascinating teams in the NBA right now. They have a chance to be really good, but they also have a lot of holes on their roster. The biggest question facing the Hornets is what they should do with Kemba Walker.

Walker is one of the best point guards in the NBA. He’s a two-time All-Star and he’s just 28 years old. He’s also due for a big contract extension this summer. The Hornets have already said that they are not interested in trading Walker, but that could change if they can’t agree on a contract extension.

If the Hornets do decide to trade Walker, there will be no shortage of suitors. The Boston Celtics Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers are all rumored to be interested in acquiring Walker.

Jeremy Lamb

The Charlotte Hornets are starting to turn heads with their early season success and are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-5. Many credit this success to the play of All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, but Jeremy Lamb has also been a key contributor. The former 12th overall pick is averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range

With the Hornets potentially looking like a playoff team, they may want to add a piece or two before the trade deadline to make a run at the Eastern Conference crown. Here are three players that Charlotte could target in trade talks.

Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky has been the subject of several trade rumors lately, and it looks like the Charlotte Hornets may be willing to part with the big man.

Kaminsky, who is in his fourth season with the Hornets, is averaging 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He’s scored in double figures in eight of his last 10 games, including a career-high 28 points against the Boston Celtics on January 3.

The Hornets are reportedly looking for a point guard and could be willing to part with Kaminsky in a trade. Charlotte has been linked to Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton and Denver Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in recent weeks.

Marvin Williams

The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the most active teams in the NBA Trade rumor mill over the past few weeks. With the trade deadline just a week away, they have been linked to several different players and have been rumored to be shopping around some of their own players as well. One player that has been mentioned as a possibility for a trade is forward Marvin Williams.

Williams is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent this offseason. He is owed $15 million this season, but his salary is only partially guaranteed for next season. Given that he will be a Free Agent and is owed significantly less money next season, he could be an attractive option for teams looking to shed some salary.

The Hornets are reportedly looking for a first-round pick in exchange for Williams, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to find a team willing to meet their asking price. If they are unable to find a suitable trade partner, they may elect to keep Williams and try to re-sign him in the offseason.

Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum is a French professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also represents the French national team in international competitions. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters), he plays the small forward and shooting guard positions.

The Hornets could be shopping around for a shooting guard or small forward and Batum could be one of their options. He is averaging 15.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game this season.

Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller could be one of the more active names on the trade market as the Charlotte Hornets look to clear space for their impending free-agent signing of Marvin Williams, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.

The Hornets are said to be nearing a deal with Williams that would pay him around $14 million annually. That number would put Charlotte well over the projected luxury tax line, so they’ll need to move some salary before adding him.

Zeller, who will make $4.6 million next season and $5 million in 2016-17, is one player who could be on his way out. Bonnell notes that while there aren’t any imminent deals in place involving the 23-year-old big man, “several teams have shown interest.”

The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers are two teams that have been mentioned as potential trade partners for the Hornets in recent weeks. Both clubs have a need for frontcourt help and could be willing to part with a young player or future draft pick in order to acquire Zeller.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Charlotte Hornets have had a disappointing start to the season, sitting at 9-22 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference

One player who has been the subject of Trade Rumors is forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Kidd-Gilchrist is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent next summer.

The Hornets are reportedly open to trading Kidd-Gilchrist, but it remains to be seen what they would be looking for in return.

One option could be a Draft Pick or a young player with potential.

Another possibility could be a veteran player who could help the Hornets compete for a playoff spot this season.

Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see what kind of move the Hornets make before the trade deadline