What Trade Pieces Can Lakers Add From Active Hornets?
Earlier this week, the Charlotte Hornets just made a significant move in the dealing of prolific-scoring guard Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat in exchange for the expiring contract of Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick.
This definitely feels like an underpay for Miami, but it's a clear sign that Charlotte is all-in on a rebuild, and the 29-year-old Rozier doesn't fit their timeline.
Sources inform Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that Charlotte intends to continue stocking up future draft equity in the lead-up to the February 8th trade deadline.
To that end, they'll likely buy out the contract of Kyle Lowry, making him available, and if their plan is to continue accumulating future assets, your Los Angeles Lakers should get involved.
Specifically, Charlotte has a few pieces that LA should target – namely Nick Richards and Gordon Hayward.
Richards is a backup center averaging nine points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes, adding value on both sides of the ball as a lob threat and rim protector. He's on a cheap contract and is a definite upgrade over Jaxson Hayes behind (or possibly alongside, depending on the matchup) Anthony Davis.
Given his age (26), Charlotte may want to hang onto him for the longer-term, but they have their answer at center in second-year big Mark Williams, meaning they can pick up some value off of Richards and improve their wing or guard depth as a result.
Hayward is averaging nearly 15 points per game and has been around the league for a while, potentially adding some veteran experience to an LA second unit that sorely needs it. His contract is where things go south, however, as he's making over 30 million dollars on an expiring deal, making it so LA wouldn't be able to match money without overpaying.
