The Charlotte Hornets have an abundance of guards and wings, which could give them ammunition to make trades and bring back assets before the 2026 trade deadline. One of the teams that could give them a call is the Orlando Magic, whose hopes of contending for a championship may be held back by their shallow depth at the guard positions.
Among all Eastern Conference squads, the Magic have the third-best odds of winning the 2026 title, per ESPN. However, the possible lack of playable guards could hamper their chances of overcoming their conference rivals.
Orlando deserves credit for adding Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones this summer, although losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Cory Joseph, and Gary Harris definitely hurt. Right now, Jalen Suggs, Bane, and Jones are the squad's proven rotation pieces at the backcourt. It remains to be seen if youngsters Anthony Black, Jase Richardson, and Jett Howard can develop quickly enough to become serviceable backups.
Even at small forward, the Magic could seek reinforcement because they lack reliable options behind Franz Wagner.
Hornets could have what Orlando and other contenders may be looking for
Some fans were confused when Charlotte decided to load up on guards and wings and left itself a bit vulnerable at the frontcourt. Maybe the plan all along was to become sellers during the regular season and continue its asset-acquisition scheme.
The most likely trade candidates if the organization does choose that route are Collin Sexton, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Josh Green. Pat Connaughton is also expected to be among them should he secure a roster spot after training camp. Even Tre Mann and Nick Smith Jr. have to be mentioned if the pair and Sexton prove to be redundant. Any of those players can give the Magic a needed boost on offense and be worth at least one second-round pick.
In the event that the Hornets' rookies, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, and Sion James, and even second-year pro KJ Simpson, progress more quickly than anticipated, it becomes more likely that Charlotte shops some of its guards or wings, especially near the trade deadline.
An interesting scenario, though, would be the possibility of the Hornets becoming more competitive than expected. In that case, the extra depth at the backcourt might not be too bad after all. They could probably even be a buyer rather than a seller if that's how things turn out before the trade deadline.