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Charlotte Hornets rumors: Is a Richaun Holmes trade possible?

By Dylan Jackson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 15: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Spectrum Center on March 15, 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 - MARCH 15: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Spectrum Center on March 15, 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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The Charlotte Hornets have a pretty large hole in their starting lineup – at the center position. Finding help there is likely to be a goal of Charlotte at the trade deadline, and Richaun Holmes name has come up recently in rumors.

According to James Ham (a Kings insider), Richaun Holmes is available to acquire via trade. The Hornets would be a logical fit for a solid starting-level big man – one that could dramatically change the structure of the starting lineup in Charlotte.

"“McNair isn’t holding a ‘going out of business sale.’ It’s more of a ‘ski swap.’ Core players like Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes are available according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The hope is that there are different combinations of players that somehow fit better with Fox and Haliburton.”– James Ham"

The Hornets would have a plethora of assets to give to the Kings – and a combination of those may be enough to steal away Richaun Holmes – who Charlotte likely did a lot of research on in this past free agency class.

There’s a few different trade options for Charlotte – but the Kings would most likely be enamored with Kelly Oubre – who has been having a career resurgence for the Hornets, averaging 17 points per game on shooting splits of 46/37/67. Oubre is one of the leading candidates for the NBA’s sixth man of the year award.

Additionally, the Kings are probably interested in PJ Washington, who will be extension-eligible this coming summer. The Hornets are going to be scraping close to the luxury tax this summer after extending Terry Rozier last summer and have pending free agent Miles Bridges to pay, as well.

Could the Charlotte Hornets trade for Richaun Holmes?

If the Kings are interested in a full tear-down, the Hornets have young players such as James Bouknight and Kai Jones to offer, though it is unclear how attached to these rookies Charlotte GM Mitch Kupchak is.

Richaun Holmes is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds per game with good defensive metrics. He has a net rating of +20 per 100 possessions, and has one of the highest field goal percentages in the league.

If the Hornets were to add Richaun Holmes, it would only add to the playoff hype that the team has generated thus far this season. Still, it’s hard to say whether the team will rush into a move before the rapidly-approaching trade deadline.

Next. Hornets: 3 things CLT needs to be a legit playoff team. dark

Holmes is the best option available, considering the potential pricetag of a trade, though – especially after Myles Turner went down with an injury.

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