The Charlotte Hornets have been linked to a significant trade that would fill a major hole.
The Charlotte Hornets are actually a very interesting team this season, having the potential to make a run at a playoff spot in the weakened Eastern Conference.
But while the Hornets have done a fine job building solid young nucleus, it's clear they are far from a finished product, and they still have some obvious holes on their roster.
Perhaps none are more glaring than their issue at center, where Charlotte traded Jusuf Nurkic over the summer and only signed Mason Plumlee as an answer.
Yes, the Hornets did use an early second-round pick on Ryan Kalkbrenner, who was rather impressive during the team's season-opening win over the Brooklyn Nets, but Charlotte could really afford to add some depth to the position. Proven depth, that is.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz has zeroed in on a possible solution for the Hornets in that regard, linking them to a trade for Nets big man Nic Claxton.Broo
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton. Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images."Nic Claxton is just three years older than Kalkbrenner yet is beginning his seventh NBA season. He's a proven rebounder and rim protector who's shown some driving ability on offense with his 6'11" frame," Swartz wrote. "Charlotte should be sniffing around the center market all season, as Kalkbrenner best projects as a backup/rotation big man in the pros."
Claxton scored 17 points against the Hornets on opening night and has averaged double figures in each of the last three campaigns. Last year, he logged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 26.9 minutes per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the floor.
The 26-year-old is not a significant offensive threat, but he could serve as a reliable pick-and-roll partner with LaMelo Ball. Plus, Claxton is a terrific defender capable of both protecting the rim and stepping out and guarding the perimeter.
Claxton nearly averaged double-doubles in back-to-back years between 2021-22 and 2022-23, finishing with a tick under 10 boards per game in both seasons. He topped out at 12.6 points a night in the former campaign.
The University of Georgia product would fit perfectly with the Hornets, providing them with a much-needed defensive stopper. His lack of an offensive game and poor free-throw shooting could make him a bit of a liability late in games, but he is a very good player in spurts.