Should the Charlotte Hornets make a big trade this season?
With the NBA trade deadline coming up next month, NBA analyst Dan Favale of Bleacher Report revealed three trade targets for all 30 teams.
Favale believes the Charlotte Hornets should target Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III.
The Hornets are 11-23. They are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
"Despite the Charlotte Hornets' crop of centers exceeding expectations, they should remain in the market for frontcourt help," Favale wrote. "With that said, the ascents of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabaté allow them to focus more on the 4 or a combo 4-5. And recent play from Tidjane Salaün might even have them leaning combo wing. Charlotte isn't good enough to throw first-round picks on the table for, well, anyone. Distressed-prospect swings and buy-low impact players should be its bread and butter. This list reflects as much.
"GG Jackson II is (almost) a pure mystery-box play. He has the physical tools to be everything Charlotte needs at the 3 and 4 spots if he can ever put any of it, at all, together. Keon Ellis is not a forward. Or under contract beyond this season. But the Hornets need players who can space the floor and defend at the point of attack. He fits that bill. Robert Williams III has already played in more games this season than all of last year. Though his forever-checkered health bill precludes Charlotte from treating him as a big of the future, he adds another layer of defensive versatility, as well as some currently under-explored offensive decision-making. With his contract coming off the books this summer, he's someone who could potentially be had for a rental-type cost."
Jackson is making $2.2 million this season, Ellis is making $2.3 million and Williams III is making $13.3 million.
For the Grizzlies, Jackson is averaging 5.3 points per game, Ellis is averaging 5.8 points per game for the Kings and Williams III is averaging 6.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Trail Blazers.
The Hornets are 19th in the NBA in points per game, 22nd in points per game allowed, 11th in offensive rating, 26th in defensive rating and 21st in net rating.