Charlotte Hornets: 3 blockbuster trades for a star big man

After missing the playoffs in all but one season in Minnesota, could Karl-Anthony Towns propel the Charlotte Hornets to the next level?

The most notable center around the league that has found himself involved in trade talks over the last few years is Karl-Anthony Towns. Some believe his prime is getting wasted in Minnesota and would like to see him take his talents elsewhere. Others believe that the Timberwolves are only a few pieces away from competing after drafting Anthony Edwards first overall in last year’s NBA Draft.

Towns has stated publicly that he “wants to build a legacy” in Minnesota. Not to discredit Towns’ loyalty by any means, but we have heard similar statements repeatedly from stars who eventually grow disgruntled and wish to be traded. If this comes to be the case for Towns, the Hornets should make a hard push to acquire him in the offseason.

For the Hornets, Towns would be the missing piece to the puzzle. His scoring ability would fill a void at center that has been a gaping hole in the offense for years. Standing at 6-feet, 11-inches, and averaging 1.4 blocks a game for his career, he is very capable of protecting the paint.

For the Timberwolves, they would be acquiring two young studs in PJ Washington and Miles Bridges that can play both forward positions. Along with Malik Monk, who would more than likely continue to come off the bench (a role that he has thrived in this season) behind Anthony Edwards, Minnesota would have three more talented building blocks along with two first-round picks to build their future around.

This trade scenario would not satisfy the salary matching rules that the NBA has but it shows what the base of the offer could look like. In my opinion, Towns needs a change of scenery. With three years remaining on a 5-year, $190 million contract signed back in 2018, that may not come this offseason. However, I think it is an idea that both teams should ponder.