Report | Hornets To Be "More Active" At Trade Deadline + Rozier's "Preference" to land in Miami?
During Mitch Kupchak's tenure, the Hornets have typically been conservative around the NBA's February trade deadline. However, according to a recent article from Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Hornets have indicated to league personnel that they plan to be "More active" in trade discussions this deadline.
The report indicates that every player is available on the Hornets besides LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and Brandon Miller.
One name specifically mentioned in the article is Hornets guard Terry Rozier, who is reportedly said to have "Known preference" to join the Miami Heat. Rozier is in the middle of a career-best season, with his trade at an all-time high. It is well known among the NBA that Rozier spends his off-seasons living and training in Miami, which makes it a logical landing spot.
Another popular name mentioned in the article is veteran wing Gordon Hayward. The problem with trading Hayward is finding a team willing and able to take on his $30 million dollar expiring contract. The report suggests that Hayward could be more of a buyout candidate so he can sign with a contender on a more team-friendly deal.
The last Hornet specifically mentioned in the article is PJ Washington, who is being linked to the Dallas Mavericks, as they are reported to be actively looking in the market for versatile forwards. Washington was linked to his hometown of Dallas in the off-season as a restricted free agent. Eventually, the Mavericks opted to sign Grant Williams instead who has struggled to find his place so far in Dallas.
Overall, Fischer's report indicates the Hornets are open for business and willing to take calls on any player outside of their three young cornerstone players. One has to imagine the new ownership is disappointed with the start of this season and is eager to shake things up. It will be interesting to see how the trade deadline plays out for the Hornets and what kind of returns they can get as they attempt to build a competitive roster around their franchise cornerstones.
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