The Charlotte Hornets have needed a reliable backup point guard all season long, and they are finally getting one from an expected source. They have reportedly acquired Coby White from the Chicago Bulls, costing them Collin Sexton, Mason Plumlee, and three second-round picks.
Full details of the trade
It wasn’t a straight swap between the Hornets and Bulls, as the deal also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Giving up Sexton could prove to be tough for Charlotte, as the combo guard averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three in half a season with the squad. Perhaps what the organization will miss more is the leadership and intensity he brought to the floor and in the locker room. Fortunately, White looks like he can replicate (and even improve on) the on-court production Sexton will be bringing with him.
Also included in the trade are veterans Mason Plumlee, who will make his way to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Mike Conley, who will likely be bought out by the Hornets. Meanwhile, former Thunder swingman Ousmane Dieng will be rerouted to the Bulls in the process.
Letting go of the second-round picks could prove worth it for the franchise, especially since it still has plenty left in the stash after the trade. Interestingly, it has three more second-rounders in 2031.
Homecoming for Coby White
Fans definitely can’t wait for White to make his debut with Charlotte. He will likely come off the bench, as the starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate is already set and has been one of the best five-man units in the league this season.
Hopefully, he is up to the task of filling a substantial hole in his hometown team’s roster. Perhaps playing in the Queen City again will be inspiring for the North Carolina native and University of North Carolina product. He will definitely not have a shortage of fans.
Looking at the trade, it was quite a coup for the Hornets, especially considering that they essentially flipped Jusuf Nurkic for White. Moreover, they are replacing a guard who had a negative on/off splits for another who was positive in that department in Chicago this season. It’s also worth noting that White is the better playmaker and should be able to help the squad be much more competitive whenever Ball is resting on the bench.