The Charlotte Hornets need some roster reinforcement to become playoff contenders one day. While the 2025 draft could be a great source of an upgrade for the organization, there is a school of thought that it should go fishing for a blockbuster deal before this season's trade deadline.
Meanwhile, a team nearly 700 miles away is expected to blow it up after falling near the bottom of the standings after high expectations entering the regular season. The talent-laden New Orleans Pelicans have been the subject of trade speculations after struggling to a 5-24 record.
It's unclear what the Pelicans plan to do, although rumors are pouring in that they are willing to trade any to all of their high-profile players, namely Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum.
Zion Williamson's injury history will have Hornets looking the other way
Interestingly, the Hornets have come up as a possible destination for Williamson. It certainly looks like a match made in heaven, right? Partnering LaMelo Ball with one of the most athletic specimens to take up basketball will have fans salivating at the possibility. In addition, the 2019 No. 1 draft pick was born and raised in North Carolina before spending his brief college career with Duke University.
However, acquiring Williamson would likely require Charlotte to give up various players and a few draft picks. The franchise will probably still be open to trading anyone other than Ball and Brandon Miller and might have some draft capital to spare.
Giving up a lot of assets for another injury-prone star could end up sinking the Hornets further, though.
As impressive as the two-time All-Star has been, he has played in at least 70 contests in a season just once in his six years in the NBA. He was even forced to sit out the entire 2021-22 campaign because of a foot injury. This season, he has made just six appearances. Imagine how upsetting it would be for the Hive to see Ball and Williamson spend time on the sidelines together or separately.
So, it's best for the Hornets to steer clear of the Pelicans unless they are willing to part ways with Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, or Yves Missi. Insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer noted that those three are practically untouchable in trade talks (subscription required). Even Ingram would be a bad idea for Charlotte for various reasons. Perhaps McCollum could solve some of the team's offensive woes, but his fit with Ball and Miller appears problematic.
If the Hornets want to seek improvement via the trade market, New Orleans might be the last place it needs to look at.