Charlotte Hornets: Handing Out Favors To Everyone

Feb 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) tips a pass by Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) tips a pass by Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets got ready for Valentine’s Day by giving gifts to the Cavs and the 76ers.

The Charlotte Hornets were busy doing favors yesterday. They decided to reach out and help the Cleveland Cavaliers as Cleveland is still trying to make LeBron James happy. They did this by taking injured center Chris Andersen off of their hands for a second round draft pick. The Hornets also got cash in the deal, presumably to pay for waiving Andersen.

The Cavs wanted a roster spot because LeBron James wanted to bring in Derrick Williams and still wants another point guard.

The deal did not do much for the Hornets and their roster makeup. Andersen was out of the year with an injury and therefore he would not be able to help the team anyway. The second round draft pick sent to Cleveland is a conditional pick that is top-55 protected. That means the Hornets would have to do a heck of a lot better to be in danger of losing that pick.

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Even if they did lose the pick, the late second round is not the place to look for gamechangers. Losing the pick would also save the Hornets a small amount of money that they would have owed to the drafted player.

The second favor that the Hornets did yesterday was to have Nicolas Batum guarantee victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hornets are in a rut, but the victory guarantee needs to be saved for an opponent of greater standing than the 76ers. It sets the team into a no win situation where victory over Philly should be expected and a loss hurts more since it seems that you were extra motivated to win.

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Which brings the Hornets to last night’s loss against the 76ers. It turns out that Batum’s guarantee was not enough and the Hornets are still in the midst of a tailspin. The team needs Cody Zeller back desperately at this point since he is the only real change that will happen to the roster.

The Hornets played the Toronto Raptors tomorrow night.