After only playing 21 games with the team, Collin Sexton has become the topic of conversation around the trade market.
There is more gossip than a high school girl’s lunch table about the Charlotte Hornets and their trade possibilities.
Earlier, we covered how the Hornets were checking in on the status of power forward and center Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, but as we know, trades like these take much longer than normal.
I write that, because another rumor has popped up out of Charlotte, and this time guard Collin Sexton has reportedly been made available in trade discussions.
First LaMelo Ball. Then Sabonis. Now Sexton? Who else is the next victim?
The Sexton news is certainly a surprise, given how young the season is, but Charlotte desperately needs to cut down the number of guards on its roster.
With the injury to Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Hornets only can turn to Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate as their top centers. Tidjane Salaun is a decent option, but he’s not comfortable at the five, and plays more of a perimeter game.
So the likely option is to dump Sexton, who carries a hefty contract for someone who is coming off the bench.
If the objective is to get Sabonis, a possible trade package could include Sexton and a pair of first-round picks.
Given how well the Hornets did in this past draft, you’d have to think that the franchise isn’t afraid of letting go of a few picks either if it meant landing a two-time All Star.
Since returning to the Queen City, the Hornets have yet to make a massive splash in the trade market, and after this season, Sabonis will still have two more seasons on his current contract.
However, another option is the Minnesota Timberwolves as our Ashish Mathur reported yesterday. The Wolves, an aspiring contender in the NBA can use a guard like Sexton who is a player built for the playoffs, yet hasn’t seen a postseason game yet.
The difference is, Minnesota is in a similar position to Charlotte, where it rosters too many guards. And it’s unlikely that the Wolves part ways with either Rudy Gobert or Naz Reid, because then that leaves just Rocco Zikarsky, who is on a two-way deal.
That is, unless the Hornets just want to rid themselves of Sexton’s contract to open themselves up for a bigger move for a big man.
The possibilities are endless.
Despite Sexton’s contract, it’s a little unfortunate that it only took 21 games for the trade discussion to stir up.
During the offseason, Sexton seemed like the type of player that would be fantastic for the team, bringing in a hunger, as well as a winners mentality. Even though he hasn’t seen the postseason, a player like him can be contagious for young teams.
Nothing has materialized yet, and it doesn’t look like anything will happen anytime soon.
But a Sexton trade could warrant a sizable return. Let’s at least wait until the trade deadline to make any snap judgements though.