Charlotte Hornets: How to improve the center position

Charlotte Hornets: Should the team explore the trade market for a center?

Finally, the most likely option for the Charlotte Hornets to solve their issues at the center position are via the trade market. This past offseason, general manager Mitch Kupchak used multiple assets to add both Kai Jones and Mason Plumlee. Whether either of those guys outperforms current expectations remains to be seen, but betting on either to be long-term options at center would be a mistake as it currently stands. That isn’t to say Kai Jones cannot become the guy, but you certainly should not bet on it happening given him being a developmental prospect.

The first player that probably comes to mind here is Myles Turner. He’s a player that has been in trade rumors for a while – and one that Hornets fans have been clamoring for. Turner is a natural fit for almost any offense, but going about acquiring him without sacrificing future draft capital likely means the deal would have to revolve around Gordon Hayward. Adding a defensive anchor that can stretch the floor may be worth the price of admission, though. Here is what a possible package could look like.

Another option for the Charlotte Hornets could be to target Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic. He’s on an expiring deal, and if the Blazers look to add positional versatility, Oubre could be one of their targets. Nurkic has an interesting skill set for a big man, but the Hornets would have to be confident that they can secure him for an extension before pulling the trigger on a deal. A possible trade could look like this one.

The Charlotte Hornets do have options moving forward, should they want to improve the center position. While adding a player in free agency in the future remains unlikely, Charlotte has various trade chips that could be appealing to other teams.