Charlotte Hornets Aggressively Seeking Trade; Potential Partners
By Jon Shames
Phoenix Suns
The Charlotte Hornets are looking for players who will make an immediate impact, but that isn’t to say that they don’t want high-upside prospects as well.
The Suns are especially intriguing as a trade partners because they have a myriad of both young players with loads of potential and adept three-point shooters (some of whom are forwards as well).
Phoenix has seemingly committed to a three-guard core of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, and Isaiah Thomas, but where does that leave the rest of their players?
Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris–a.k.a., the Morris twins–were both extended for four seasons earlier in the year, but in no sense does that mean they are untouchable. Charlotte should recognize this, and perhaps look into a deal involving any one of the twins.
Both are skilled and would fit will into Steve Clifford’s system as floor-spacing bigs, but of the two, Marcus–generally believed to be the worse player of the two–is actually a better three-point shooter than his brother, and that has especially been on display this season.
Marcus is shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc on 3.8 attempts per game while Markieff, who is attempting 2.3 long balls a contest, is connecting on just 23.8 percent.
The former, who originally played for the Houston Rockets’ up-tempo, three-point-heavy offense, first shot above 38 percent from long distance in his sophomore season, then did so again last year (and is on pace to do so this season as well).
Markieff has yet to beat his own career high of 34.7 percent, a number set in his rookie season. Marcus is also nearly $3 million cheaper each season than his twin, which means he wouldn’t damage the Hornets’ cap space too much.
Another Sun that many Hornets fans would love to see don a purple and teal jersey is Gerald Green, who has had his name tossed around in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation this season. The high-flying forward has been putting on a clinic this year, averaging 14.4 points per game in only 21.5 minutes.
After struggling with his efficiency early on, Green has improved his shot selection and his conversion rate, upping the latter to 43.1 percent on the year.
He’s known for his dunking and his other-worldly athleticism, but with the Suns, Green has actually carved out a niche that has been long overdue for the journeyman wing. Playing in a contract year, Green has began to get some attention when it counts, and his play is sure to pay dividends at the end of this year.
The Hornets need a wing like Green–one who can score, run the floor, hit outside shots and defend–but they cannot wait for the offseason to target the 28-year-old. If they are serious about pursuing him, the move has got to come now–midseason.
The Suns are in pursuit of their own playoff berth this season in a tough Western Conference, so acquiring any of their impact players might be a difficult task. With that said, there’s no hurt in the Hornets calling up Ryan McDonough to see what–if anything at all–can be done.
Next: NBA Power Rankings: Hornets Near The Bottom Of The NBA's Hive