Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets tried to trade for Kevin Love, Joe Chealey added to training camp roster
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
The second season of Tony Parker‘s contract is unguaranteed. (NBA.NBCsports.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets attempted trade for Kevin Love, Joe Chealey being added to the team’s training camp roster, and why Nicolas Batum would make sense for the Houston Rockets.
Charlotte tried to trade for Kevin Love last season (SportingNews.com)
"Throughout the season, especially as Cleveland struggled with the veteran group it originally put together, teams would call the Cavs with one player especially targeted: All-Star forward Kevin Love. Each time, the inquiring team — among them, according to sources, were Miami, Charlotte and Portland — was given a polite “No, thanks.”"
It appears that the Hornets were one of three teams reportedly interested in trading for five-time all-star big man Kevin Love during the 2017-18 season. The Cavaliers made it clear that they weren’t shopping Kevin and that he wasn’t on the trade block. He actually committed to the Cavs by signing a four-year, $120 million extension this summer.
It’s unclear who Charlotte offered to Cleveland in exchange for Love but it could’ve been a straight-up deal involving Nicolas Batum (and maybe a pick) or a potential blockbuster move that included Kemba Walker. If a deal would’ve materialized, it could have helped turn the Hornets into a perennial playoff contender. Maybe both sides will revisit trade talks in a few months.
Hornets sign Joe Chealey (NBA.com)
"Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has signed guard Joe Chealey to the team’s training camp roster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed."
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, the former College of Charleston guard played with Charlotte in the Summer League where he impressed the coaching staff and members of the front office. Joe averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG during his Senior Year. Chealey put up 6.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2.8 APG during four appearances in Las Vegas.
With three point guards (Kemba Walker, Tony Parker, and Devonte’ Graham) already on the Hornets’ squad, it’s unlikely that Joe makes the team’s 15-man regular season roster. Still, if he is cut, he could become an affiliate player for them on their G-League team in the Greensboro Swarm. Chealey is clearly a player that the team likes and could have a future with the organization going forward.
Nic Batum would make sense for Houston (HoopsHype.com)
"If the Rockets were able to add someone like Charlotte Hornets forward Nicolas Batum, it could make sense for both sides. Houston would get a significant contributor on the perimeter, while Charlotte would get to dump Batum’s big contract (potentially without surrendering an asset like a future first-round pick)."
Houston lost two of their most important wing players in Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah Moute this summer. The Rockets have been looking to offload Ryan Anderson‘s salary for some time so a trade with Charlotte for Batum does make sense. The problem for the Hornets is that they will have to pay Anderson 20+ million over the next two seasons.
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Still, this may be the best way to offload Nicolas because the Queen City team wouldn’t have to give up Kemba Walker, a promising young player, or a future draft pick. In fact, they may even receive a draft pick from Houston in a potential deal. If Charlotte is planning to contend, I doubt they make this trade.