If the Charlotte Hornets plan to shake things up at the trade deadline, a player they will likely explore shopping is Collin Sexton. It wouldn't be because they don't want him anymore. In fact, he has given the Hornets compelling reasons not to trade him, demonstrating his value with his production on the court and his leadership off it.
After the Hornets' resounding win on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sexton was asked about Charles Barkley's guarantee of a play-in berth for them and how the attention they have been getting has impacted them.
The veteran guard offered a level-headed response: "Honestly, stay hungry. Stay in the moment and focus on one game at a time. Don't look too far ahead, and don't look too far into the future."
A desperate "Young Bull"?
The Hornets are fortunate to have another elder statesman on the squad. It could be easy for a young team to get too hyped when it has had an amazing stretch of games like what Charlotte is on. With Sexton being a voice of reason, the chances of them falling into the trap of contentment become slimmer.
There could also be a reason he desperately wants the Hornets to keep racking up wins. He is already in his eighth season, with 445 regular-season matches under his belt, but he has yet to reach the playoffs. Among the active players, only Lauri Markkanen (484) and, intriguingly, Miles Bridges (470) have had it worse.
Sexton and Bridges have a prime opportunity to leave the inglorious list this year. The Hornets now possess the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference and are just 3.5 games behind the 10th-place Atlanta Hawks. If they can maintain the offensive and defensive production that has helped them win three straight and eight of their previous 13 contests, it wouldn't be shocking to see them overtake at least one of the squads ahead of them in the East.
A case for trading Collin Sexton
Sexton has been key to Buzz City's recent surge in the standings. He has provided the club with a needed scoring punch and rim pressure while registering an efficient 49-38-87 shooting split. And as mentioned, the intangibles have made him a dependable part of the rotation.
On the other hand, the 27-year-old combo guard has had notable shortcomings. With Charlotte's lack of a point guard besides LaMelo Ball, he is expected to assume the role for the second unit. However, his assist and turnover numbers have been less than stellar.
If the Hornets want to add another floor general or expand their collection of draft picks further, trading Sexton might be necessary. Other teams appear to highly value him, and his expiring contract is certainly palatable for organizations seeking financial flexibility.
It will be interesting to watch whether Sexton will continue suiting up for Charlotte once the trade deadline has passed. If he doesn't, it has to be prepared for what it would lose without him.