The Charlotte Hornets are unlikely to acquire an All-Star big man with their draft picks.
The Charlotte Hornets hold intriguing assets this offseason, including the 14th and 18th overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This leaves the Hornets with the opportunity to add two young pieces in the draft or utilize them in a trade to upgrade the roster.
One player who has been linked to Charlotte in trade rumors is Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis is an All-Star center, but Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Hornets are reluctant to part with their draft picks in a deal for Sabonis.
This is a wise decision from Charlotte's front office as Sabonis is on an expensive contract, making $45.4 million in the 2026-27 season and $48.6 million in the 2027-28 season.
Sabonis is a talented player, as he averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from three. The 30-year-old big man is a good offensive player, but with a pricey contract, he wouldn't be worth acquiring for valuable draft picks.
Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesCharlotte also already has some talented players on offense, including LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller.
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from distance, while Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from deep.
Knueppel had an impressive rookie season, narrowly losing the Rookie of the Year award to Cooper Flagg while averaging 18.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from behind the arc.
With these three key offensive pieces, the Hornets are more in need of a defensive anchor at center than another offensive star like Sabonis.
Charlotte could still use one or both of their picks in a trade, but it's wise that the front office is steering clear of a deal for Sabonis.
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