The Charlotte Hornets have consistently been one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference. Having finished 14th in the East last season, along with a poor reputation among players around the league, the outlook for the Hornets is immensely limited moving forward.
Still, the team features one of the league’s most talented point guards in LaMelo Ball. At 23 years old, Ball is Charlotte’s best player. Coming off a season where he averaged 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, he set himself apart from the rest of his team. Unfortunately, this run was cut short after he sustained a season-ending injury late in March.
While the Hornets have some talented pieces on their squad, it is clear that Ball requires more support in order to transform Charlotte into a competitive side. To facilitate this, we present an interesting trade idea featuring the Toronto Raptors.
Proposed Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: RJ Barrett
Toronto Raptors Receive: Josh Green, Grant Williams, 2026 first-round pick (swap)
This trade idea is primarily catered to addressing Charlotte’s immediate need for a second star. But in the process, this trade also helps the Raptors improve in some ways.
The acquisition of RJ Barrett could have a significant impact on the Hornets’ current roster. Considering that he has been mentioned in several trade rumors this offseason, there is a growing possibility of him exiting Toronto.
Barrett is a crafty southpaw who can create shots for himself while also making plays for his teammates. With the Raptors last season, the 25-year-old recorded averages of 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists as their secondary scoring option.
Barrett is a reliable offensive contributor, notching an efficient 46.8% shooting from the field. While there is some room for improvement with his perimeter shooting ability, he wouldn’t be tasked with being a three-point shooting threat in Charlotte.
Paired with Ball, the duo has a lot of potential to get the most out of the Hornets’ roster. With solid offensive threats like Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller on the team, having two playmakers gives Charlotte some flexibility.
The arrival of the 25-year-old guard would also relegate Collin Sexton to the bench, but this may not be a negative. Sexton’s abilities as a two-way player and his leadership could be a massive boost to the second unit. This would help the Hornets maintain consistency when Ball is off the floor.
While the Hornets gain roster flexibility from this trade, the Raptors add much-needed depth. Following a disappointing campaign last season, Toronto is looking to make key improvements. In this regard, the addition of Josh Green, Grant Williams, and a first-round pick (with pre-existing swap rights) could be a step in the right direction.
Adding Green and Williams to Toronto’s roster may not disrupt the pre-existing starting rotation. While the lineup is likely to remain unchanged, the bench will see a significant boost with two proficient frontcourt players.
Last season, Green recorded an average of 7.4 points and 2.5 rebounds on shooting splits of 42.8% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc. His earnest effort on defense and his perimeter shooting present him as a reliable option off the bench.
Meanwhile, Williams has showcased more capability as a two-way player. While he is primarily known for his defensive contributions, he has proven himself to be serviceable on the offensive end. Last season, he recorded an average of 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
Although the Raptors already have a solid rotation in place, the addition of the two forwards would give them more depth on their roster. Unfortunately, Williams’ addition to the team may be delayed. As the forward suffered a season-ending injury last December, he is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 regular season.
The Charlotte Hornets’ Future
The Hornets had hoped that by drafting LaMelo Ball, they would acquire a franchise player who would attract star-caliber talent to the city. Sadly, this has not been the case, as many players are hesitant to team up with the 23-year-old.
This has limited Charlotte’s ability to grow as a franchise. While they have drafted well in the last few seasons, the team hasn’t been able to produce results.
However, this could be subject to change with their newest class of draft picks. Given the team’s success at the Summer League this year, the Hornets could be poised for improvement.
With Kon Knueppel emerging as a promising young forward in this year’s draft, the Hornets may have finally found a long-term running mate for Ball.
