Charlotte Hornets' 2015 Trade-Deadline Shopping List
Don't look now, but the Charlotte Hornets might finally be turning it around. An early five-game winning streak to ring in 2015 has them sitting at 15-24, just 1.5 games behind the free-falling Brooklyn Nets for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Hornets have been up and down all year, but this has been their most encouraging stretch. Granted, it has come during a period of light scheduling, but the Hornets look much more like themselves and are playing with some pep in their step. This streak feels like one that could last for a while and build some momentum toward truly turning this campaign around.
Now, Charlotte should be in a position to buy at the Feb. 19 trade deadline, a huge turn of events from the Lance Stephenson trade rumors that surfaced earlier in the year. Stephenson and Al Jefferson's return will be like two huge acquisitions of their own in the coming weeks, but another move or two could put the Hornets in prime position to make a big run in the still wide-open Eastern Conference.
Charlotte isn't going to land anyone of the magnitude of Rajon Rondo or Josh Smith, but there are always plenty of options out there. This team has some pretty obvious needs and will have every option to explore deals to address them.
Need No. 1: Offensive Big Man
Targets: David West, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Enes Kanter
The best option of these four is David West, who has experience playing a style similar to Charlotte's and is a battle-hardened veteran who could help this team immensely in the latter part of the season. Indiana is floundering with little hope of improving, and the Pacers would be remiss if they didn't do everything possible to acquire some potential long-term talent for Paul George's return.
The recent era of Pacers basketball is ending, and they need to rebuild. West also has experience playing with Stephenson and could possibly bring out the best in him. He would be the perfect frontcourt complement to Jefferson and could give this team the shot in the arm it needs. West also has a player option to become a free agent after this year, so Indiana will definitely be open to offers.
As for the others, Young has a player option just like West, while Kanter is set to enter restricted free agency. Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Each would be a decent fit, but West fits like a glove.
Brooklyn is falling apart and has an inevitable fire sale hanging over its head, so you can bet that franchise is listening to all offers. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz are going nowhere in the loaded Western Conference, deeming their two big men expendable as well.
Of these four guys, all would be big moves, but West represents the most resounding "win now" declaration. To accommodate West's contract of $12 million this year, the easiest thing to do would be to move Marvin Williams' deal, who signed for two years and $14 million this past summer. Charlotte needs to go for it if it intends on competing deep into the playoffs.
Need No. 2: Bench Scoring
Targets: Wilson Chandler, Marcus Thornton
Chandler has a team option next year for $7.1 million before hitting free agency in 2016. Charlotte's bench is currently shooting 40 percent from the floor, good for second-worst in all of basketball. Veterans like Brian Roberts and Gary Neal have not met expectations, and Gerald Henderson has only done well as a starter.
The Denver Nuggets will be another seller at the deadline, and moving Chandler would free up cap space and minutes for a guy like Gary Harris. Chandler is still a legitimate scorer in this league, averaging 14.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, and would give the Hornets another big threat. He could become the sixth man they desperately need.
If Charlotte wants to go the easier route, it can get in on the fire sale the Boston Celtics are having. Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and Brandan Wright have already been moved, so there is no reason for them to hang onto Marcus Thornton, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Thornton is hitting 40 percent from downtown this year and can light it up instantly off the bench.
Chandler might cost a pretty penny, but the Celtics could easily give away Thornton for next to nothing. The Hornets have some dead weight toward the end of their bench, and bringing in an electric shooter who can contribute 15 to 20 minutes would help out a ton, similar to what Anthony Tolliver did for last year's team.
Need No. 3: Grit
Targets: Nate Robinson, Brandon Bass, Mo Williams, Reggie Evans
Teams win in this league by establishing an identity. The Hornets did that last season by quickly molding into a confident, ruthless and somewhat cocky defensive-minded club that fully embraced their role as underdogs.
Without Josh McRoberts, and with Stephenson stirring the pot more than anticipated, things have changed. Charlotte has held teams to 95 points or less in six consecutive games, but for the most part, it has not been the same feisty bunch this year. Kemba Walker's swagger has been on full display of late, and it is time to make sure the pieces fall right back into place around him.
Any of the aforementioned guys could slot in to give this roster another punch, while contributing mightily to the mentality and makeup of the squad. Nate Robinson and Mo Williams would give the backcourt the added boost it so desperately needs with Brian Roberts and Jannero Pargo providing very little.
Evans and Bass could perform the role that Jason Maxiell is failing at. Either of them would replace a lot of that grit McRoberts took with him to South Beach.
All four of these players would also come cheap, as each is heading into free agency. Charlotte is a solid rebounding team, but Williams might be the best fit of these four. Once Ricky Rubio comes back for Minnesota, the Timberwolves might be willing to listen on Williams since Zach LaVine is getting time as the No. 2 point guard, and Mo likely wants to play for a winner. His scoring, passing and veteran mindset provide a potentially great stabilizing force to even out Walker and Stephenson.
All things considered, it is pleasant to see the Hornets back in business. They are showing signs of life once again, and by shopping around, they could take another sizable step forward.
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