The Charlotte Hornets capped off the last night of the trade deadline with a massive trade, as they sent Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick-swap. It is a massive trade for both sides.
The Hornets gave up their starting center in exchange for a promising rookie in Dalton Knecht, and two valuable first-round picks that they can use today or in the offseason to land some more assets and bolster their team. Building around LaMelo Ball, they actually have a decent starting lineup that is more likely to compete at a high level in the future than immediately.
Starting Lineup
Starters: LaMelo Ball, Dalton Knecht, Brandon Millers, Miles Bridges, Taj Gibson
No doubt that LaMelo Ball will be the starting point guard for the team, as he is the best player on their roster. Dalton Knecht could turn Charles Lee’s head and earn a starting spot, as he currently averages 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, 39.3% from beyond the arc, and 63.6% from the free-throw line.
Brandon Miller is not going to lose his starting spot anytime soon, and whenever healthy, he will play, as he is one of their bright young prospects. Miles Bridges has shown to be a solid and reliable scorer and defender for the Hornets, who continues to show how versatile he is to the Hornets’ needs.
With Mark Williams being their most natural center, the Hornets have very few options at center. Expect veteran Taj Gibson to play at the position for the foreseeable future.
Reserves
Tre Mann, Nick Smith Jr., Vasilije Micic, Josh Green, DaQuon Jeffries, Seth Curry, Cody Martin, Grant Williams, Josh Okogie, Cam Reddish, Tidjane Saluane, KJ Simpson (Two-Way), Isaiah Wong (Two-Way), Moussa Diabate (Two-Way)
Nick Smith Jr. has been a starter for the Hornets this season, and could very well earn his spot back in the starting lineup should Lee’s expected experiment with Dalton Knecht not work out the way he hopes. Tre Mann is a solid backup point guard who can fill up the non-LaMelo minutes quite well.
Vasilije Micic, Josh Green, DaQuon Jeffries, and Seth Curry are solid rotation players who shouldn’t expect to play regularly but will get their opportunities as the head coach looks to try new things. Seth Curry as the veteran will be a culture setter for the rest of the roster.
Cody Martin, Grant Williams, and Josh Okogie, much like Curry will be veteran presences who can contribute well on the court, but also be entrusted with holding the young players on the team accountable. Cam Reddish is a player who might have his last opportunity in the NBA to live up to his potential going forward.
With no outright center options on the roster, Tidjane Saluane and Moussa Diabate, as the tallest players on the reserves, will be trusted to fill in at the five for the Hornets till the rest of the season, unless the franchise can make a last-minute trade for a traditional big.
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