Franchises are quickly finding out if they are pretenders or contenders. Front offices up and down the league will be assessing their rosters to decide what moves can help match their ever-changing objectives. The Charlotte Hornets always knew who they were: a team in transition. A rebuild means flipping assets for greater draft capital. Grayson Allen's positive form makes him the perfect trade candidate for a championship favourite to bolster their ranks.
Allen is establishing himself as an impact bench scorer in Charlotte -- an option every challenging franchise will be desperate to land. The 31-year-old is firmly placing himself in Sixth Man of the Year conversations. Just three of his 12 appearances this season have come in the starting lineup, but that hasn't affected his production.
Since landing with the Hornets, Allen has averaged 15.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from deep. Allen isn't just making a positive impact from the bench; he's doing so efficiently.
The sharpshooting guard will have his suitors before the trade deadline, but it is up to the Hornets' front office to squeeze every dime possible out of any potential deal.
Allen's value will hinge on the plight of potential suitors
As one of the league's deadliest bench performers, Allen's base value is already quite high. However, with $70 million remaining on his contract through the 2027-28 season, followed by a player option for 2028-29, any potential suitor will need to be convinced that he can make an immediate impact.
If the front office can see past the finances, a long-term commitment to a player of Allen's quality seems like a no-brainer, especially for a team on the fringes of championship success. Wielding a sixth man who is a guaranteed scorer can be the difference between making the NBA Finals and winning it all. The Hornets must lean on this fact in negotiations.
Charlotte's sole focus is to accrue draft capital alongside younger, disregarded prospects who are willing to buy into the culture Charles Lee is attempting to create. The question is: what's a fair trade proposal for someone of Allen's stature? From the Hornets' perspective, a first-round pick would be more than acceptable.
If a team is desperately chasing a deep postseason run, they might be a little bit reckless with their future. Realistically, a first-round pick from a high-flying franchise won't land Charlotte a superstar, but it will give them more than one bite at the cherry and increase the likelihood of uncovering a player who fits the team's system.
For now, Allen's performances will help Charlotte chalk up some much-needed wins so they can navigate the reformed Draft Lottery. With a few victories on the board, the front office should consider cashing in on the veteran guard as they continue to build for the future.
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