This Charlotte Hornets trade can't happen now, but what about the offseason?
A blockbuster trade idea sending the Charlotte Hornets an All-NBA defender has been created.
NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans:
Charlotte Hornets get: Herb Jones
New Orleans Pelicans get: Josh Green and a top-five protected 2028 first-round pick swap
This trade can't happen now since the trade deadline has passed. However, it can take place in the offseason.
Jones is one of the top two-way players in the NBA. For the Pelicans this season, the lefty is averaging 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 38.4% from the field, 29.5% from beyond the arc and 81.3% from the free-throw line.
Adding Jones to a core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel would make the Hornets even more dangerous than they already are.
"Jones would raise their ceiling on defense, give them a better option to throw at the opposition's best perimeter player and spare offensive stars like LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller from having to take on those assignments," Bailey wrote.
Jones will make $14.9 million next season. The Hornets would benefit from trading for Jones because they are lacking a lockdown perimeter defender. Jones is also close with Miller, as both forwards went to Alabama.
Jones has been in the NBA since 2021. He holds career averages of 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
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