Trade season is coming, with numerous players set to be available in the market in a couple of weeks. Fans can expect negotiations and transactions to ramp up as the trade deadline nears, although it wouldn't be surprising to see some teams make moves in late December.
There was good reason to believe back in the offseason that the Charlotte Hornets would be sellers and look to acquire assets in exchange for some of their players who could help title contenders.
However, certain developments could dictate the team's direction in the following weeks. These include LaMelo Ball's unexpected evolution into one of the league's best players. That and injuries to key players might push the front office to look for reinforcements.
Jeff Peterson hints at possible trades this season
Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson recently gave an insight into how the squad will approach the trade season. In an appearance on the "Hornets Hive Cast" podcast, the executive shared how he and coach Charles Lee are alike mentally, stating that they are wired to "continue to push and get better."
He didn't guarantee that a trade is imminent, though. So, the players who are hoping to stay in Charlotte and the fans who want the franchise to stick with its roster until the end of the 2024-25 campaign can heave a sigh of relief for now. They should keep in mind that anything can happen.
Still, it's only right that Peterson and his staff plan on doing their due diligence to try to strengthen the roster. The Hornets have the assets to get deals done, and the team president/general manager mentioned that they would consider players who appear to be a great fit with the squad.
Hopefully, Charlotte can avoid the pitfall of gunning for win-now moves only for the decision to fail miserably. For example, the suggestion to grab Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans could be the solution to the team's offensive woes. A playoff appearance could even come out of it. However, the possibility of annual early playoff exits or chemistry issues might end up hurting the franchise. And the last thing it wants is a disgruntled Ball and Brandon Miller.
The good news is that Peterson seems to have a clear direction for the Hornets. Furthermore, he earned the confidence of the Hive after the shrewd moves he executed in the previous months, which landed them more draft capital and assets. So, fans should probably trust the front office in the coming months.