Charlotte Hornets: Why Brad Wanamaker is a good pick up

For the first time in three years, the Charlotte Hornets made a trade at the NBA’s trade deadline. The Hornets traded their 2025 second-round pick (top-55 protected) to the Golden State Warriors to pick up veteran point guard, Brad Wanamaker. The Warriors also included the Raptors’ 2022 second-round pick (top-54 protected), and cash.

Wanamaker might not be a big name that everyone knows, but he has experience. He’s 31 years old and has averaged 4.7 points and 2.5 assists per game. He’s had two playoff stints in his first two seasons with the Boston Celtics.

One of the things that I like the most about him is his ability to find open teammates without turning the ball over. In 146 career games, Wanamaker has only averaged 0.9 turnovers per game.

Even though Wanamaker has only averaged 16.0 minutes per game, he’s still found ways to help his team efficiently. The Hornets need help at point guard with LaMelo Ball out, and Wanamaker is someone who is going to give clean minutes when he gets in.

Upon officially joining the team, Miles Bridges stated that he’s a veteran point guard who knows how to run an offense. Bridges also said, “He doesn’t turn the ball over that much, he can knock down the three. He’s a veteran point guard that can guard and I think that’s what we needed in LaMelo’s absence right now.”

His playoff experience will be huge for the Hornets if Ball is still not available. During the 2020 playoffs, Wanamaker appeared in 17 games. He averaged 4.9 points, 1.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game. Wanamaker is one of the few players on the team that has Eastern Conference finals playoff experience.

On Friday, the veteran participated in shootaround with the Hornets before the team’s win over the Miami Heat. Wanamaker will be set to make his mark when he gets to play.