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Charlotte Hornets: Pass or pursue on these 3 NBA trade deadline rumors

By Corey Rausch

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 08: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets react after takeing the lead over the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on January 08, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 08: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets react after takeing the lead over the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on January 08, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Charlotte Hornets, NBA trade deadline (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Should the Charlotte Hornets try to nab Nikola Vucevic at the NBA trade deadline?

Seemingly every team in need of an upgrade in the frontcourt has been connected to at least expressing interest in Nikola Vucevic, and within good reason. The recently minted two-time Orlando Magic All-Star is having a career year. He is averaging 25.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game with shooting splits of .490/.416/.848. So what is the hold-up?

Reportedly, the Magic have set an asking price that has many teams balking. As good as Vucevic has been he, is unlikely to be worth the kind of package a superstar seems to bring back in a trade (multiple first-round picks and young talent). If that is the asking price for Orlando the big man will likely stay put.

Even if that price is met by some teams Charlotte should not be one of them. There are cheaper alternatives in terms of assets spent (more on that later) that would not move all of their eggs into the basket that is this team. As fun as the season has been the most logical option for the team is to continue to build through the draft.

Considering Mitch Kupchak has been around since 2018 and drafted Miles Bridges (12th 2018), Devonte Graham (34th 2018), P.J. Washington (12th 2019), Cody Martin (36th 2019), Jalen McDaniels (52nd 2019) and LaMelo Ball (3rd 2020) among others that seems like a solid plan.

Pass

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