Analyzing every Charlotte Hornets players’ trade value entering the NBA deadline
Anything and everything involving the Charlotte Hornets and Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline should be viewed with this in mind:
Salary cap.
The Hornets are in position to be well below the salary cap next summer for the first time since Mitch Kupchak took over as general manager in the spring of 2018. Contracts expire for Bismack Biyombo, Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, trimming $45 million off the payroll.
That could leave the Hornets at about $81 million in guaranteed salary, with the 2020-21 cap projected at $115 million for each team. While Kupchak doesn’t anticipate the Hornets being big players in free-agency next summer, he won’t be quick to give up that flexibility with trade-deadline deals.
Any trade the Hornets make would be with the long-term in mind: To acquire draft picks or young players, rather than acquiring a veteran that would make them better now, but not have lasting value.
This season has been all about player-development for the Hornets: Investing minutes in young guys, looking to accelerate their improvement and evaluate their potential. Straying from that with a quick-fix trade just wouldn’t make sense.
The Hornets might be 16-33 entering Monday’s home game against the Orlando Magic, but they do have young players other teams might want. Evaluating trade value of Charlotte’s roster (of players who entered this season on guaranteed contracts):
Keepers
Players who, while far from untouchable, would be hard to justify trading.
P.J. Washington. He has started every game he’s been available to play as a rookie at power forward. He is versatile, basketball savvy and a much better 3-point shooter than the Hornets anticipated when they drafted him. He’s on a highly affordable rookie-scale contract for three more seasons. A core piece. What the Hornets could get in return: Young starter under controllable contract.
Devonte Graham. The best thing Kupchak has done so far is succeed with second-round picks (Graham and Cody Martin). Point guard is the most important position in basketball. Graham is a Most Improved Player candidate. The only question is re-signing him beyond his contract expiring after next season, but that’s a great use of this cap space. In return: Another top young player, probably a point guard.
Young guys
Next level of players who could be on the next Hornets playoff roster.
Miles Bridges. He’s coming off back-to-back games of 20 or more points for the first time as an NBA player. The question long-term is his best position is probably power forward, rather than small forward. Does that make him redundant to Washington? In return: A starter at small forward or shooting guard.
Malik Monk. It speaks to Monk’s inconsistency that he has yet to start an NBA game. Accepting anything less than a first-round pick or another young player wouldn’t make sense, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Monk was dealt now or next summer. In return: A first-round pick.
Dwayne Bacon. He has underwhelmed, falling out of the starting lineup after 10 games. Since he’s a free agent in July, he probably doesn’t have much trade value, but could be thrown into a deal. In return: A first-round pick.
Willy Hernangomez. He was the Hornets’ third center who hardly played prior to the past two weeks. Basically the same guy Hornets acquired in trade from New York Knicks two seasons ago: Decent scorer and rebounder, poor post defender. The level of player who would be swapped for a second-round pick. In return: A second-round pick.
Cody Martin. Has already played more (526 minutes) than expected, is a solid defender and smart player. But not someone who would drum up much trade interest. In return: At least a late first-round pick.
In-betweeners
Players in mid-career with large salaries.
Terry Rozier. The way he has blended with Graham, playing mostly off the ball, has been commendable. He has two seasons left guaranteed and is owed about $19 million next season and $18 million the following year. Might be more of a trade commodity in the summer of 2021, with one season left on his contract. In return: A starter under contract beyond next season,
Cody Zeller. He is the only Hornets center under contract beyond this season, with a $15.4 million salary next season. Barring a great deal, it would be hard to justify trading Zeller now. Maybe easier in the summer, depending on whether the Hornets draft a center in June. In return: A young center of starter potential.
Expiring contracts
Expensive veterans whose contracts are up.
Marvin Williams. He might retire after this season, his 15th in the NBA. Exceptional teammate and leader. He has a $15 million salary this season. In return: A second-round pick and an expiring contract
Bismack Biyombo. He has played well at times this season, with six points-rebounds double-doubles. He makes $17 million. In return: A second-round pick and an expiring contract.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Dallas Mavericks have some interest, with a need for a mid-sized defender. He makes $13 million. In return: A second-round pick and an expiring contract.
Problem salary
Nicolas Batum. His contract that is particularly hard to move. He makes $25.5 million this season and $27.1 million in 2020-21 season. What the Hornets would have to take back to match salaries probably wouldn’t make sense. It wouldn’t make sense for any team to take on Batum’s contract.
