With the chances of making a postseason appearance becoming slimmer, it's time for the Charlotte Hornets to shift gears. Riding with this roster hasn't translated to wins, although other likely reasons for their prolonged slump are the lack of a creative offensive playbook and inconsistent defense. Injuries have also played a significant role, but even the return of the Hornets' rotation pieces hasn't helped them snap out of their funk.
Some things need to change, and the trade market might be one of the team's best options for addressing its many flaws.
Among those who have been mentioned a ton in trade theories and discussions is Nick Richards. He has kept popping up as a potential trade bait since the offseason, and perhaps now is the best time to ship him and let Moussa Diabate take over his spot in the rotation.
The trade
There are several franchises in need of a backup big, and some pundits believe the Golden State Warriors are one of them, even though the Western Conference squad already has Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis. It has also been using Draymond Green as a small-ball center for many seasons now.
However, Zach Roberts of SI suggests Richards as an upgrade for the Warriors, and the Jamaican hoopster's mobility and athleticism might be a good fit with their motion offense.
Interestingly, Roberts' trade proposal is headlined by a package of Jonathan Kuminga, who has been floated around as a player worth monitoring during the trade season for the Hornets.
The grade
There's no doubt that Charlotte would do this trade in a heartbeat. However, witnessing it happen is near-impossible unless Golden State also values Richards as a potential franchise cornerstone in the same vein as it sees Kuminga. Maybe the fact that the Warriors have given the young forward fluctuating roles has caused some folks to think the team deems him expendable.
Considering that several executives think that the Hornets can land at least two second-round picks (and not a first-rounder or a rotation piece) for Richards, swapping him for a player like Kuminga and — receiving a second-round selection to boot — would definitely be a coup.
The fourth-year pro would fit exactly right in with the Hive, as its stagnant offense could get a boost with his arrival. It was only last season when Kuminga scored 16.1 points per game on 52.9 percent shooting. This year, his average is similar, but he is shooting less than 50 percent for the first time in his young career.
He still has some work to do to become an elite player, including improving his defense and rebounding. However, a change in scenery might be what Kuminga needs to fulfill his potential.