Biggest Trade Targets To Help The Hornets’ Playoff Push
Thaddeus Young
The highest profile name on this list comes at the highest price, but it is still manageable for the Hornets.
Young hasn’t meshed in Minnesota like many thought he would, and Andrew Wiggins has stolen the show enough to draw attention away from the talented stretch four.
Cody Zeller has played admirably this season, and he has secured a spot in Charlotte’s future. But Thaddeus Young has just this season and next left on his deal, and he is an instant upgrade over Zeller for the time being.
Young brings an important piece to Charlotte’s starting lineup that it lacks currently – three point shooting. With Kemba Walker the only capable three point shooter starting, Young would greatly improve the inside out game, especially when Big Al Jefferson returns.
Young is in the midst of a horrible season statistically shooting just 29% from three and pulling down less than 5 boards a game, but that could be attributed to a poor fit in Minnesota’s offense.
Bring him to Charlotte, and watch those numbers change in a hurry.
Possible trade:
Hornets trade: Marvin Williams, ’15 Second Round Pick, ’16 Second Round Pick
T-Wolves trade: Thaddeus Young
Jarrett Jack
A trade between the Nets and Hornets!?
It has to be a blockbuster with big name guys like Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, and/or Lance Stephenson, right?
Wrong. The Nets are a team looking to rebuild, and they have a few veteran contracts they can afford to offload. Jack is one of those deals.
Jack brings a veteran presence to a locker room and is a very talented backup point guard. His storied career and reputation would add a respectable character and mentor to the young Kemba Walker and Lance Stephenson.
Brooklyn would take bare minimum for Jack’s contract, as it is a bit hefty.
Possible trade:
Hornets trade: Jason Maxiell, Jeff Taylor, Brian Roberts
Nets trade: Jarrett Jack
Gerald Green
Green is an explosive and deadly offensive weapon when he is hot. He would have plenty of opportunities to get hot in Charlotte, where he would be the main weapon off the bench.
Green is shooting 37% and scoring 13.7 points a game in just 21 minutes a night, leaving the door open for a huge production rate in more time in Charlotte.
Green has been on Charlotte’s radar for a while now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hornets front office swing a deal tomorrow morning.
Possible trade:
Hornets trade: Gary Neal
Suns trade: Gerald Green
Mo Williams
If a 52 point outing isn’t enough to prove good ole Mo still got it, then I don’t know what is. Williams is another veteran on the Timberwolves who just really doesn’t fit in with their longterm goals.
However, he definitely fits in with Charlotte’s win now, care later goals.
His averages of 12.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 three pointers a game make him a coveted asset for playoff seeking teams, and Charlotte would be smart to jump into the mix before the likes of Washington, Los Angeles, and Memphis jump in.
Possible Trade:
Hornets trade: Jeff Taylor, Brian Roberts
T-wolves trade: Mo Williams
Mario Chalmers
Chalmers is averaging a career high 10.7 PPG alongside 4.3 assists per game, making him an attractive trade target to contenders or playoff hopefuls.
Unfortunately for Charlotte, Miami is one of those playoff hopefuls, and prying him away from Miami may be difficult, especially since they are divisional rivals.
Still, Miami has to like what Charlotte can offer, like Gary Neal, the assassin who nearly defeated the Heat in the 2012 finals. Honestly, it looks like anything new in Miami at this point would be a positive change.
Possible Trade:
Hornets trade: Gary Neal, ’18 second round pick
Heat trade: Mario Chalmers
Tyler Zeller
Imagine all the buckets that were drained in the Zeller household’s driveway just a few years ago.
Now imagine that as the Charlotte frontcourt. Damn.
The chemistry between Tyler and his brother and current Hornet Cody would be extremely fun to watch and very productive. Despite Bismack Biyombo’s great play as of late, the center position is one of need in Charlotte, especially in Big Al’s absence.
Possible Trade:
Hornets trade: Brian Roberts, ’15 second round pick
Celtics trade: Tyler Zeller, Phil Pressey
Mirza Teletovic
Another stretch four finds himself on this list.
On a team like Charlotte that ranks 27th in three pointers a game and 29th in three point percentage, Teletovic’s 1.6 three pointers a game would do wonders on the offense.
With Marvin Williams the closest thing to a stretch four that Charlotte has (Williams came into this league as a shooting guard, like what?), Teletovic of the Nets looks like a very attractive piece to help the bench mob.
Possible trade:
Hornets trade: Brian Roberts, ’16 second round pick
Nets trade: Mirza Teletovic