People around the NBA have speculated for years about the possibility of Hornets president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak leaving the organization or transitioning into more of an advisory role, but those whispers have intensified this year, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. As Fischer explains, Kupchak’s current contract with Charlotte is believed to expire at the end of this season.
It’s unclear at this point what Kupchak’s future holds, but Fischer says two names have frequently been cited as potential candidates for the top job in the Hornets’ front office if a change occurs. One is current assistant general manager Buzz Peterson, who was roommates with team owner Michael Jordan at UNC. The other is Bulls GM Marc Eversley, who interviewed for the job in 2018 before the Hornets hired Kupchak.
Here’s more on the Hornets:
- “Word has circulated” among rival front offices that Hornets forward Gordon Hayward may be interested in a change of scenery this offseason, Fischer reports. However, a source close to Hayward told Bleacher Report that the veteran is primarily focused on recovering from the foot injury that appears likely to end his season.
- Some league executives think that Hayward could be involved in a trade for Russell Westbrook, allowing the Hornets to increase their 2023 cap flexibility, according to Fischer. However, it would be a challenge for the Hornets and Lakers to work out a deal that appeals to both sides and includes both of those highly-paid former All-Stars. Using Hayward to try to acquire a center is another option Charlotte could explore, Fischer adds.
- It’s unclear whether the Pacers will seriously consider Myles Turner – long considered a top trade target for the Hornets – this offseason, but league personnel expect Charlotte to be in the market for a rim protector like Turner. “They don’t defend,” one team scout said to Fischer. “You gotta find a defensive identity.”
- Fischer’s sources believe the Hornets would match any offer sheet for RFA-to-be Miles Bridges. With that in mind, it remains to be seen if teams will be dissuaded from going after Bridges or if there could be a club willing to submit a maximum-salary offer to force Charlotte to match it. A four-year max deal for Bridges from a rival suitor projects to be worth about $128MM.
- Even if the Hornets don’t make the playoffs via the play-in tournament, Fischer’s sources inside and outside of the franchise believe head coach James Borrego is a good bet to stick around. “It would make no sense to fire him,” an assistant general manager told Bleacher Report. “I know the NBA is a results-oriented business, but if you believe in him to be your coach, if you believe in him growing alongside LaMelo (Ball) and Bridges, you’ve taken a step forward each of the last two seasons, you just extended him. Why would not making the playoffs with a young roster suddenly change that?”
Hayward and Oubre for Westbrook and a pair of seconds could make sense. LaMelo could still run point on offense in a 3 guard set with Bridges at the 4 and Plumlee Harrell or whatever FA starts at the 5. LaMelo could also guard the 3 on D since he’s 6’7” but I just think the Westbrook thing here in Charlotte makes less sense than somewhere a dump to OKC or Houston or a move to the Knicks since the Knicks could match salaries quite well Fournier Rose and Burks
If Charlotte makes that trade they should send RW to home and let his contract expire or buyout him. I will never want LaMelo to share the court and lockeroom with RW. But MJ, an old school guy may think different.
Nobody’s bailing out the Lakers
Trading for expiring’s is something teams do every year
Any team going into trade talks for RW won’t be {forced}, they will be looking to scalp and unload contracts themselves willingly
This isn’t new stuff fellas
Gotta say, I hate that trade idea. In fairness, you did say it made less sense than other destinations though. Charlotte shouldn’t just bailout LA, however. Hayward may miss some time, but he’s better than Westbrick when healthy. The only way Charlotte should do that deal is by squeezing LA for those 1sts they don’t want to give, and immediately cutting Westbrick before his plane leaves LA.
Funny you think Hayward is better than Russ, make no mistake about it Russ’s worst season in the league is better than Hayward’s best… so is hard to see your point!
Russ is a chemistry wrecker, and he didn’t look great this year. That’s the basis for my opinion on Heyward over Westbrick. But if it’s that hard to see my point, you probably want LA to hang onto Russ… So we can agree on not wanting this trade.
Oubre’s contract is for $12 this year and $12.6mil next but only $5mil is guaranteed. Not sure how that affects any trade.
If Hayward wants a change of scenery, please use his contract to aquire anyone but Westbrick!
He isn’t worth anything, two granted bug money years left on that contract. The reason they do a deal for Hayward and Russ is because Russ has one year and Hayward has two. They won’t be able to get a pick out of it because an often injured currently injured former borderline all star with two over paid years left on his contract in his 30s mind you isn’t worth more than Westbrick they are both literally worth negative value. I don’t get how y’all can see it so clearly on one side but clueless on the other.
I doubt Hayward is going anywhere. Not for anything significant at least. Has played a full season worth of games combined over the last 2 plus the contract.
It’s funny they are like Russ sucks (duh) but Hayward is worth picks (nope he sucks too). Be rational, they are both worth atleast negative one pick, so it’s a even trade that won’t do a bit of good for either team)
Hayward would benefit the Lakers if healthy and RW is inefficient even if healthy, unless his attitude changes.
Hayward being healthy isn’t something to expect, in the same way that Westbrook having a good attitude isn’t something to expect. That’s my point, they are both heavily demaged goods, it’s a trade for the sake of hoping any change skates things up and hoping that brings some limited improvement
There’s not a single realistic scenario I can envision that would screw it all up quicker in Charlotte than acquiring Westbrook lol
Change of scenery for Gordon Hayward? How about being on the court? Its a different scenery than being on the couch. Stay healthy bro.
Lol burn