For a team that finished with the fourth-worst record in the NBA last year, the Charlotte Hornets still surprisingly have a lot of decisions to make. The Hornets have 14 players with standard contracts and plenty of money to spend. The Hornets have some flexibility, but they also have qualifying offers to PJ Washington and Theo Maledon. James Nnaji, selected by the Hornets with the No. 31 overall pick this year, remains unsigned. Meanwhile, Kobi Simmons and JT Thor have nonguaranteed deals, though they aren’t fully guaranteed until January.
NBA Rumors: Charlotte Linked To Delon Wright as Hornets Search For Backup Point Guard
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the Hornets are searching for a backup point guard. Last year’s primary backup, Dennis Smith Jr, bolted for the Brooklyn Nets despite being offered more money by Charlotte.
The Hornets are reportedly targeting Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright in a trade. Wright is an extremely high-IQ player with exceptional handles, solid defense, and good leadership. He is also a good finisher around the rim, takes good shots, and doesn’t turn the ball over. In other words, the 31-year-old veteran is the ideal backup who won’t hurt a team if he plays extended minutes.
Wright averaged 7.4 points, 3.9 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.4 rebounds in 50 games for the Wizards last year. He also compiled a shooting slash line of .474/.345/.867. Wright will make $8.195 million in the final year of his deal.
Washington has a surplus of point guards, with Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones, Landry Shamet, and Ryan Rollins capable of handling the lead guard duties. The Wizards also have 16 players under standard contracts, which includes nine who can play on the wing. So, a trade of Wright would help the Wizards.
Other Possible Trade Targets
Free agency appears to be the best route for the Hornets to go in search of a backup point guard, but a couple of other point guards could be available via trade. Killian Hayes and T.J. McConnell are two potential trade options.
Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have reportedly interest in trading Hayes. Hayes is coming off a career year and is an excellent distributor who has done better at caring for the ball over the last two seasons. While just 21 years old, he has three years of experience and is better suited to coming off the bench. Hayes also defends well but can’t shoot a lick.
Hayes will make $7.41 million this season. He will be a restricted-free agent next summer.
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
It was a little surprising to hear that the Indiana Pacers entertained offers for McConnell. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported that the Phoenix Suns were exploring swapping Cameron Payne, who was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, for the 31-year-old.
McConnell is a tough-as-nails veteran and one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. The 31-year-old is an excellent ball-handler and defender. He is coming off one of the best shooting years of his career, knocking down 54.3% of his shots and 44.1% of his attempts from deep. McConnell also posted six double-doubles and one triple-double last season.
McConnell will earn $18 million over the next two seasons, $13.7 million of which is guaranteed.
Free Agent Possibilites
Isaiah Thomas has not played much basketball since the beginning of the 2017 campaign. The 5-9 guard, who sat out last season, appeared in 17 games for the Hornets in 2021-22. Most recently, Thomas worked out for teams in Las Vegas during the 2K24 Summer League.
Kemba Walker has not played since being released by the Dallas Mavericks in January. The 33-year-old averaged 8.0 points and 2.1 assists in 16 minutes of action while shooting 42.1% from the field during those contests.
As the other two players mentioned, Austin Rivers is on the downswing of his career. The 30-year-old combo guard appeared in 52 contests for the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. While Rivers shot well overall, he was much more efficient in the 10 games he started.
Edmond Sumner was just released by the Nets a few days ago. The 27-year-old, who is more of a scorer than a distributor, was pretty good last year after missing the entire 2021-22 campaign with an ACL injury. He shot the ball well last year but was more efficient as a starter than off the bench.
Hornets Projected Depth Chart
PG – LaMelo Ball, Maledon (RFA), James Bouknight, Nick Smith Jr., Amari Bailey (2-way)
SG- Terry Rozier, Bryce McGowens, Xavier Sneed (2-way)
SF – Brandon Miller, Cody Martin, Leaky Black (projected 2-way)
PF – Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Kai Jones, JT Thor
C – Washington (RFA), Mark Williams, Nick Richards
Analysis
Charlotte could use a backup point guard but does not need one. The Hornets have a plethora of guards who can play the one and two. More importantly, the Hornets didn’t really do anything to drastically improve the team a year ago. Unless they believe Ball’s health and bringing back Bridges, who sat out all last season, is the secret recipe. Don’t want to diminish those two players’ impact, but Charlotte didn’t win when they were healthy. Plus, the Hornets’ roster has taken a hit overall with the loss of Smith, Kelly Oubre Jr. (FA), and potentially Washington.
Given that Charlotte likely won’t be competing for a playoff spot this year, although the play-in tournament keeps almost everyone, it makes little sense to bring in someone this year rather than let the youngsters learn on the fly. The Hornets would be better served to sign Washington to a long-term deal and keep Maledon.
Maledon is a capable distributor and ball-handler, but he thrives on the defensive end.
Bouknight is more of a two-guard though he can slide over to fill in at some point. While Bouknight struggled for the majority of the summer league action, he did turn in a solid last performance in Vegas.
Smith Jr. showed flashes of brilliance during the summer league. He was much better as a scorer than a distributor. The 19-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.17 assists in the six appearances in Vegas and Sacramento.
Simmons, known for his scoring, did dole out 10 assists in 39 minutes in Vegas, but turnovers remain an issue.
