Hornets Trade Market Plans for the Offseason Revealed
By Cem Yolbulan
It is a new era in Charlotte. The Hornets went through significant changes in the last couple of months, hiring Jeff Peterson as the new general manager to replace Mitch Kupchak and bringing in Charles Lee as the new head coach to replace Steve Clifford. With new ownership also in charge, things are surely looking up in Charlotte.
However, there is plenty of work that needs to be done to get the franchise where it needs to go. The Hornets haven't made the playoffs since 2016 and haven't won a playoff series since 2002.
Unfortunately, going back to winning ways will likely take a while as the franchise is in the early stages of a rebuild. The latest reporting suggests that the team is willing to be patient and will look to add more draft capital in the offseason. With that objective in mind, they are open to taking on undesirable contracts, according to Hornets reporter Evan Sidery.
Hornets Want to Add More Draft Capital in Potential Trades
This is a sensible approach. The Hornets have some young talent in LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams. But Ball and Williams have struggled to stay healthy so far in their young careers and Miller is only entering his second year. With Miles Bridges likely gone this summer, this team just isn't ready to compete at a high level just yet.
This rebuild will take a couple of years, so the Hornets amassing more draft picks and intriguing young players by taking on other teams' unwanted contracts off their hands could net them some valuable assets in the long run. It will also give them a chance to evaluate Ball, Williams, and Miller, as well as lower profile prospects like Nick Smith Jr, Tre Mann, and Bryce McGowens to see what they have on their hands.
It is not going to be the most exciting offseason for Charlotte but it will hopefully set them up better for the future. Patience is the name of the game for Hornets fans.