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NBA Trade Rumors: Trade Priorities For All 30 Teams

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets

“Buy or Sell?” is a popular game across all professional sports as trade deadlines near. The Charlotte Hornets are in the same predicament as a lot of teams are around the trade deadline. Their situation is a little bit different than most. They have had their slew of injuries, including center Al Jefferson.

As of now, only five players on the Hornets’ roster have guaranteed contracts for next season. HoopsHabit’s own Andrew Snyder evaluated whether the Hornets should make a trade last month. There still isn’t a clear answer as to what the Hornets are leaning toward doing.

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Five players signed past their prime in the second Hornets era
Five players signed past their prime in the second Hornets era /

Swarm and Sting

  • Charlotte Hornets land Pelicans star in mock trade proposal Swarm and Sting
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  • 5 Players that could replace Gordon Hayward on the Hornets Swarm and Sting
  • Why bringing scoring guard off the bench gives Hornets massive boost Swarm and Sting
  • Grade the mock trade: Hornets flip Gordon Hayward for 12-Time All-Star Swarm and Sting

    • The Hornets sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and are one of nine teams that are within 6.5 games of one another, ranging from third place to 11th place. In such a competitive conference, the Hornets have a great opportunity to make the playoffs. When healthy, the Hornets are a playoff team on paper.

    There are two players that the Hornets will build around, if they decide to be sellers. Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist both have guaranteed contracts through the 2018-19 season and are the franchise’s cornerstone pieces. But with nine players on expiring contracts, it might be best for the Hornets to go for broke this season.

    Adding an expiring big man like Horford would give Charlotte more stability in the frontcourt, and depth in the case of more injury problems. If they want to go with a more long-term option, Lopez and Young would both be good options. But with the Hornets not really linked to any teams, it’s hard to speculate what direction they are thinking of going.

    Perhaps the Hornets don’t make a move at the deadline, which isn’t uncommon. But with the position they are in to make the playoffs and make noise when healthy, they could very easily be buyers. Charlotte needs to establish themselves as buyers or sellers to either sure-up holes on their roster or retool with Walker and MKG.

    Next: Repair What Is Broken