The Charlotte Hornets may be getting into this season’s groove but the center situation is still something that needs to be resolved.
So the Charlotte Hornets seem to finally be getting into a swing of the season, going on a two-game winning streak, and can look to turn the corner on their early-season struggles. Charlotte’s rookie LaMelo Ball is starting to get into a good flow offensively with fairly consistent scoring and good playmaking. Miles Bridges is constantly putting on a dunk show and improving more and more with every game, it seems as if things are starting to look good for the Hornets.
Obviously, fans disagree with James Boreggo’s minute rotations but overall the team can say they are going down a positive path.
That being said, the Hornets do have a major problem at the center position. With a strong group of guards and competitive forwards, the big man spot is the only real question mark within the roster. Now regardless of Cody Zeller’s injury, the big man position will still be a question. I think that Cody Zeller would be a really good center roleplayer on just about any team in the nation, but as a starter, I don’t see the return. Bismack Biyombo is bounds better than the day he was drafted but even so, I’m not sure if he is a player to bank on long-term.
The following two players are who the Hornets should consider putting a package together in some kind of trade to strengthen the center position.
Charlotte Hornets trade targets: Robert Williams-Boston Celtics
Robert Williams is a great young talent and the Hornets should be pursuing him right now. Williams is only averaging 16 minutes per game, which is surprising because I think his potential far outweighs Daniel Theis’ production.
Williams has a fairly impressive vertical with a lot of skill in protecting the rim. He is actually 11th in the league with 1.5 blocks per game. Williams is only 23 and seems to have upside and the Celtics aren’t giving him ample minutes to further his skills. The C’s are instead giving some of those minutes to Tristan Thompson and this can make Williams a target available for the Hornets.
Now Williams, purely off of his potential, will cost the Hornets a pretty penny but that’s okay because Swarm City has some young pieces they can put on the table.
Now I understand that he is having a tough year but Devonte’ Graham could be a valuable piece to offer for Williams. Despite his recent slump, Graham was a Most Improved candidate, who averaged 18 points per game last season. It may be a little drastic to offer him up already but otherwise, Malik Monk is a reliable roleplayer that can be put into talks for the “Time Lord”.
I know people may want my head for offering up Graham but as far as I’m concerned keeping Ball and Rozier at guard would the most rational move for the Hornets long term and if you can get a less developed version of Jarret Allen in Robert Williams, why wouldn’t you.
Charlotte Hornets trade targets: Naz Reid- Minnesota Timberwolves
I know exactly what ya’ll are thinking, who is that? Naz Reid is a really under the radar young center for Minnesota. He has kinda been balling out for the Timberwolves so far this season. Reid is barely the legal drinking age, which means his ceiling is undetermined as of yet.
Reid is in the top 20 centers in terms of scoring with ten points per game and logging nearly four rebounds per contest. Reid dawns the black and lime but his talents may be wasted long-term behind Karl-Anthony Towns.
Reid is very much underappreciated and so his asking price may not be as high as Robert Williams. Reid should cost considerably less since Minnesota is looking for players in more positions. Rookie Anthony Edwards is really great but the team needs more pieces to even be close to playoff contention.
The Hornets could easily offer one of(or both) of the Martin twins as they both were productive last year and showed out at the wing positions. Maybe a future second-round pick would sweeten the deal, but Minnesota shouldn’t be clutching onto Reid so acquiring him may not be that tough.