Trade Deadline Week: Hornets Latest Trade Buzz
Happy NBA Trade Deadline week! I am no Woj or Shams, I don't have direct lines to players, agents and front office executives. However, I am well connected with beat writers and journalists from a range of different markets, many of which have access to people involved in trade discussions. I have decided to share what I've heard back in terms of trade chatter after canvassing my league contacts over the weekend.
To be transparent, I would classify all of my reporting below as "Secondary Sources". I don't normally pass on the day to day scuttlebutt I'm hearing as it's generally not accepted as the done thing in the journalist world. However, I'm making an exception for trade deadline week, with the major caveat that I can't personally verify that every piece of news is 100% corroborated.
Players Over Picks
One clear message coming back from secondary sources, the Hornets are prioritizing bringing back players not picks in trade talks. This is not to say Charlotte won't try and pick up future draft assets at all, but if they have two equal value deals on the table I'd expect them to lean towards the one with players who could help them next year.
Mason Plumlee's Increasing Trade Value
I first started looking at Mason Plumlee trades back in early January. At that time the team was likely only looking for picking up a 2nd round pick for the expiring big man. However, due to Plumlee's recent offensive surge, a lack of sellers and several teams needing a back-up big such as the 76ers, Nuggets, Kings and Clippers, his value has gone up. Secondary league sources tell me Charlotte are now fielding offers of multiple 2nd round picks or combinations of a 2nd round pick in addition to a player.
All quiet on the Kelly Oubre front?
I haven't heard anything that suggests Charlotte are not looking to move Oubre, but equally not one person I spoke to said they had heard Oubre's name being discussed in trade talks. This is maybe down to the injury, but I personally thought Oubre would have more value than Plumlee in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Plumlee the most likely player to be moved
This isn't exactly a shock, but I have checked in with a few secondary sources who have spoken to agents recently and they all believe Mason Plumlee is the most likely Charlotte player to be moved, followed by Rozier. The strong play of Richards and Williams has made the team more open to moving on from Plumlee.
McDaniels extension after the deadline?
I think it's more than likely that McDaniels is in Charlotte after the trade deadline. If so I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlotte come to an agreement on an extension to ensure he doesn't leave in Free Agency.
PJ Washington still discussed in trade talks
Trade speculation about PJ Washington has gone quiet in recent weeks as a flurry of outlets reported Charlotte are leaning towards keeping him. However, secondary sources have told me Washington is still very much being discussed in preliminary trade talks, LaMelo Ball is the only player on the roster deemed a non-negotiable.
Preserving CAP space for summer 2023
From what I'm hearing, Charlotte are focused on not compromising their $45 in CAP space this summer in trade talks. The Hornets see themselves needing this space to retain several of their free agents. Don't expect any trade to eat up too much of this space unless there is another salary heading out in the other direction.
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