Although the trade was later voided by the Lakers, the fact that the Hornets were willing to move center Mark Williams at last month’s deadline raised eyebrows around the NBA, according to Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Insider link), who say that some rival teams are wondering if Charlotte will be open to making significant roster changes this offseason.
“There may not be too many players on their roster they’re not willing to discuss in deals this summer,” one rival executive told ESPN. “It may start with Brandon Miller and not go too far after that.”
“(General manager) Jeff Peterson and his group have made a couple of shrewd deals to pick up assets,” a scout said. “They may be thinking of doing a larger surgery to the roster.”
According to Bontemps, the general consensus around the league is that the Hornets have taken the right steps in their rebuilding process since new owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin took control of the franchise in 2023. The team has hired Peterson to run the front office and Charles Lee as its head coach, as well as investing heavily in a new practice facility.
“They’re checking the boxes on the things they need to do,” a second scout told ESPN.
The Hornets’ base of young talent includes Miller, LaMelo Ball, Williams, and 2024 lottery pick Tidjane Salaün. The club – which has the NBA’s third-worst record – is in position to add another building block in this year’s draft lottery.
Williams will become eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, so it will be interesting to see whether the front office revisits the idea of trading him before he signs his second contract. But the bigger question in Charlotte is whether the team might be willing to make Ball available.
While sources tell ESPN that the Hornets have no interest in moving Ball, a report earlier this month suggested that he’s worth keeping an eye on going forward and Bontemps agrees, noting that the star guard is the only one of those potential Hornets cornerstones who is already on his second contract. Ball is still in year one of that maximum-salary deal, but he could sign an extension as early as 2026, so it’s not out of the question that the franchise could reach an inflection point with him within the next couple years.
Ball, 23, has averaged a career-best 25.5 points per game this season, but has seen his shooting percentages (.400 FG%, .330 3PT%) decline and has battled injuries throughout his NBA career, having appeared in just 100 of 229 total games since the start of the 2022/23 season.
“LaMelo is the question there,” the second scout told ESPN.
I like it in theory but I just don’t see it adding up
You’d be selling LaMelo low
There’s no surplus in Bridges or Green
They have effectively turned the Gordon Hayward cap problem into a more expensive Bridges Green William’s cap problem
Id want a half season personally of a healthy Ball-Miller and further looksie into Salaun+25 lottery pick before I got aggressive in the market in any capacity
Mark Williams is a serious presence down low. They should definitely keep him. Flagg would be the perfect fit for Charlotte but I had them taking Derik Queen & he’d be a great addition as well. If they can get either of those youngsters & add a vet pg like Conley/Brogdon/Vincent along with a vet shooter in free agency I can def see them being next season’s version of this year’s Pistons. Luck as far as avoiding multiple serious injuries to key players will obv be a major factor as always.
Edgecombe would look great on that roster
He would, but Coop or DQ would look even better
Why no mention of Bridges?
Idk why but I’m still high on the hornets.
I think trading LaMelo would be a massive step backwards. For a terrible franchise like this you don’t give up on your young star just because you’ve found a new toy you like.
You’ve been too bad for too long to just give up especially on a guy like LaMelo who has just a unique skill set that’s very difficult to guard.
Yes he’s got some injury concerns, defensively issues, and lack of team success but you can blame him for not being the perfect product when he’s been supplied with nothing for so long and now you want to give up and do the same to Miller.
Someone around there needs to grow a pair and say this is my team and I will make the tough calls.
Bridges and first for Randle?
Randle also has holes in his game but he’s arguably top 5/10 for his position and would ask a nice big 3 either way Ball and Miller.
Bridges would also be great for the Wolves.
Alternatively, Bridges for DeRozan straight swap.
DeRozan would provide a ton of experience for this young team and really help develop Miller into a star. He’s also good for 20+ with 5 boards and 5 assists.
After that you’ll need defenders.
Capela and Steven Adams are there in FA and would again provide experience and toughness.
If you wanted to really do something tho DayRon Sharpe could be worth rolling the dice on.
I’m also a big Nickiel Alexander-Walker fan. He’s developed into a nice defender, good spot up shooter and I think has a good underrated nah and on a team like this would really have a chance to show off more of his talents.
Then there’s what to do’s with Nurkic, M. Williams and Tre Mann. With Nurkic you should be giving him the chance to boost his value putting up empty stats before you aim to trade him.
Mark I think his future is over in Charlotte, I’d be looking to flip him for the best available young talent. Then Mann it’s hard to put a price on his performances at the start of the season before the injury ruined everything.
If it’s me:
-Draft Ace Bailey at 2/3
-Bridges for DeRozan
-M.Williams and the 33rd and 34th overall picks for Jabari Smith Jr
-Sign Clint Capela for 2 year 16mil
-Resign Tre Mann
Ball Miller DeRozan Smith Capela
Mann Green Bailey Williams Nurkic
Salaun Diabate
No way Bridges must stay in Charlotte, Rozan is done its a super veteran.
It’s that mentality that keeps you stuck down the bottom.
Why keep bridges?
He’s not going to reach another level, he currently at his peak and it’s not good enough.
Not to mention all the ofcourse issues, his value won’t be any better than it is now.
You have Melo and Miller cash in now while you can get top dollar.
DeRozan might be old old and sure if you don’t want to go that way I understand but there’s plenty of other upgrades out there.
Hornets need to sell what they have for what they can get… Focus on picks and young players with upside and rebuild…
They don’t have a true star to build around and the quasi star they have is too often injured to get them into the playoffs in the weak east…
Time to pull the plug and start from scratch whilst there are picks on the table… They could do a quick 2 year rebuild with the right moves…
Or be forever stuck in the mediocre middle of the East fighting the Bulls for a play in spot…
To everyone hating on LaMelo he was draft in 2020 and everyone knew the talent was there it was about how will it translate, can he improve his weaknesses, how will he be off the court and the mentality.
Through 4 seasons he averages 20-7.5-6 with 1.5 steals and shooting 43-37-83.
Compare to guys in and around his class.
Zion taken the year before looked the better prospect. He’s missed more time, has gotten worse defensively, hasn’t worked on his 3 ball, hasn’t done anything to improve at the FT line and has also had no team success despite having much better teammates.
Darius Garland has finally got it clicking in Cleveland but he needs basically 3 all star level teammates and even so has only had 1 playoff run.
RJ Barrett was also taken the year before LaMelo. He didn’t work out for the Knicks and they have since traded him and he’s been excellent for the Raptors this year but again lack of team success still remains. But the question I guess is did they give up on him too early cause he only looks to be improving.
Cade who was taken the year after LaMelo. He looked like a lock to do well in the NBA and only this year has really taken the leap to the level we expected. But from his class Jalen Green still hasn’t, Scottie Barnes has shown flashes but he’s still below a LaMelo Ball level. Josh Giddy, Jonothan Kuminga again good but not great.
I just am trying to use these guys to emphasise my point that LaMelo shouldn’t have these sky high expectations because he’s on the hornets for starters but also cause other guys around his age also haven’t established themselves and had much success either. LaMelo is better than every guy mentioned besides maybe Cade and everyone on here is saying nah move off him, can’t build around him, give up blah blah blah. Mark my words if you give up on him this offseason and say he ends up on a team like the TWolves, Magic or something like that. He will make you eat your words and will be top 5 for his position and top 25 in the league and have plenty of team success
Who cares. Until they dump Ball, they will never be any good. Turnover machine with no court IQ.
Trade Josh Green, Nurkic and Miles Bridges (you can have Salaun for it) for any expiring contracts possible. Resign Seth Curry and Taj Gibson to establish a good foundation n culture for the young guys, the locker room and management.
They should be looking at players L Ball’s age. Offer Salaun and something for Jabari Smith Jr
Also look for a younger SG starter
I say run it back with Miller. Draft the Best Talent in the Draft. If not working blow it up at Trade Deadline. I think they can make play in with crew in place.