Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 3 blockbuster trades for a star big man

By Wyatt Stroud

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Dewayne Dedmon #21 of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on May 02, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Dewayne Dedmon #21 of the Miami Heat in the third quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on May 02, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 02: Brad Wanamaker #9 of the Charlotte Hornets fouls Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 02, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 02: Brad Wanamaker #9 of the Charlotte Hornets fouls Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 02, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

After years of speculation around Myles Turner’s availability, could the Charlotte Hornets piece together an enticing deal to land him?

Before the trade deadline, there were rumors swirling about the Hornets and Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner. Per Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Hornets had “strong interest” in acquiring Turner and could make an offer consisting of some combination of Bridges, Washington, Devonte’ Graham, and future draft assets.

Before this season started, the Bleacher Report published an article touching on a report from J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star that said the Hornets had “sent out feelers” and gauged the interest of Turner coming to Charlotte.

Turner is currently under contract with the Pacers on a somewhat team-friendly deal where he will be paid $18 million in each of the next two seasons. Currently averaging 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and an NBA-leading 3.4 blocks a game, Turner could be the long-term answer at center and provide elite rim protection that the Hornets currently lack.

Aaron Holiday, a third-year point guard out of UCLA, is someone that the Hornets should also consider acquiring in a potential Turner deal. With the uncertainty surrounding Graham and Monk’s free agencies and Brad Wanamaker set to become an unrestricted free agent, Holiday could provide some much-needed ballhandling at a discount off the bench if both Graham and Monk prove to be too expensive this offseason.

As for the Pacers’ rotation, Bridges would almost certainly become a starter and play a bigger role in the Indiana offense. A Malik Monk sign-and-trade would help match salary in the deal and provide a spark on offense as the first guard off the bench. Jalen McDaniels is another raw talent that could end up being a steal in this trade for Indiana.

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