Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: 3 more trades to fix the center position

By Dylan Jackson

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors slam dunks against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors slam dunks against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic blocks a shot from LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic blocks a shot from LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets: Mo Bamba trade could be the long-term solution at center

So, with this deal, the Charlotte Hornets would mainly be acquiring Mo Bamba – who has recently begun to start for the Orlando Magic. In 15 games this season, he is averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and 2.2 blocks per game in 31 minutes of play each night. In addition to those numbers, Bamba has been solid from three (for being a seven-footer), having shooting splits of 46/33/71.

Bamba is the perfect modern center for the NBA, and his time in Orlando may be limited as he will be a restricted free agent this coming summer – and the Magic have already paid Wendell Carter a decent-sized bag.

The Hornets, of course, would be losing a lot of their wing/forward depth with Kelly Oubre in this trade – he has quite literally won Charlotte a game or two to this point in the season – and may become even more important if a player in the starting lineup gets hurt.

E’Twaun Moore is a solid wing player, though – and the move could see a player such as James Bouknight start to get minutes for the Hornets in replacement of Oubre. That’s not to say that Oubre won’t be missed – but his addition to the Hornets did seem like a short-term move at the time of his signing.

A starting lineup of Ball/Rozier/Hayward/Bridges/Bamba is an exciting one – and it would give the Hornets a much better shot of matching up against the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers come playoff time – should that be who the team ends up facing off against in the first round.

The Hornets would have to be willing to pay Mo Bamba this coming summer if they were to trade for him – and that doesn’t factor in that Miles Bridges is a restricted free agent as well. It may be possible that Gordon Hayward is moved in an attempt to circumvent the luxury tax this coming offseason, if a move like this one would come to fruition.

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