Charlotte Hornets: Mapping out a trade for Victor Oladipo

The Charlotte Hornets are a team to watch with the NBA trade deadline approaching on March 25. Despite the team’s surprising start to the season and playoff contention, glaring needs remain for Charlotte.

With the Hornets continuing to struggle on defense, rebounding on both ends of the floor, and protecting the rim, as well as getting offense from the center position, most fan and media speculation is that the team will look to upgrade at the five before the trade deadline. Names such as Andre Drummond and John Collins have been linked to the Hornets.

While the Hornets have a need to sure up the center position, Charlotte could also use more scoring and playmaking. Could the Hornets attempt to trade for Victor Oladipo?

Oladipo is an effective scorer and has the ability to be a top defender; both are Hornets’ needs. He was recently acquired by the Houston Rockets from the Indian Pacers in the four-team trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January.

Oladipo is in the last year of a four-year, $85 million deal. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Oladipo turned to a two-year, $45 million max contract extension from the Rockets because he is seeking a long-term deal.

The Rockets aren’t able to offer Oladipo a longer deal at this time but can offer him up to a four-year, $113 million extension prior to free agency during the offseason and up to $151 million over four years or $195 over five years once free agency begins.

The Rockets aren’t engaging in trade conversations about Oladipo at this time, but what would it take for the Hornets to acquire him?

The Hornets have a little bit of room ($4.2 million) under the salary cap this season so they wouldn’t have to match Oladipo’s salary completely. This proposed trade would swap the expiring contracts of Oladipo and Cody Zeller.

With their cap space, the Hornets could add Cody Martin to the trade to even things out, giving the Rockets a young, defensive wing that fits the style the small-ball style that Houston coach Stephen Silas wants to play.

It’s unlikely that the Rockets will look to require a team to send them a first round pick in exchange for Oladipo. Houston racked up future first round picks when they dealt Harden away.

Oladipo has played for the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pacers, Rockets during his nine-year career. In 15 games with the Rockets this season, he is averaging 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.