The Charlotte Hornets have dropped six games in a row. Without a consistently reliable option to direct the offense, the streak could extend further as they face the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers next.
LaMelo Ball's absence has not only rid Charlotte of its leading scorer but also the guy who has been able to get his teammates going. The squad now ranks 26th in average points and 27th in average assists.
It's becoming clearer by the day that coach Charles Lee needs help developing a more robust offensive playbook to give the team something to turn to whenever Ball sits on the bench or is in street clothes. However, the roster also looks like it needs an upgrade at the point guard position, especially with Vasilije Micic having had a disappointing season so far.
Reinforcements could come via free agency, but looking at the trade market is also a possibility.
Proven playmakers might be on the trading block
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently shared trade intel and listed possible trade candidates this season, and there appear to be some players who could help in solving the Hornets' playmaking struggles.
Perhaps the low-hanging fruit is Cole Anthony, who had an impressive four-year start to his NBA career with the Orlando Magic.
As a rookie, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. It didn't take long for him to be a full-time starter, as he assumed that responsibility in his sophomore campaign. Anthony responded to the promotion by putting up career-highs across the board.
However, the emergence of other Magic guards relegated him to the bench the following year. The good news is that his shot selection improved a lot, upping his field-goal percentage of 39.3 percent in his first two seasons to 45.4 percent in the 2022-23 campaign.
This season, the University of North Carolina product has largely fallen out of Orlando's rotation. Maybe a return to the Tar Heel State can revitalize his career. The Hornets might not have to give up that much to acquire a backup point guard who can moonlight as a starter when Ball has to stay on the sidelines.
Another option for Charlotte is Malcolm Brogdon, who is just one of the several Washington Wizards players rumored to be on the trading block. The former Rookie of the Year (2017) and Sixth Man of the Year (2023) used to be a coveted asset around the league. However, in recent years, he has become merely a trade piece in deals headlined by other players or draft picks.
Brogdon can find more stability on the Hornets, as the team needs a steady hand at the point guard slot who can also play off the ball at times. Getting him might be easier said than done because, as Scotto notes, the Wizards might not be enamored that much by a proposal of multiple second-round picks. But with the veteran set to be a free agent next summer, they could perhaps try to bring back whatever assets they can rather than lose him for nothing.