Insider: Hornets "Taking Calls" On 3 Proven Veterans

The Charlotte Hornets' phone lines will be burning up over the next 2 ½ weeks in advance of the NBA's Trade Deadline. They are one of the few confirmed "sellers" out there, and they do have a few proven veterans to offer. 

NBA Insider Marc Stein has confirmed that there is a "rising belief leaguewide" that the Hornets are "prepared to take calls on veterans like Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and Kelly Oubre Jr."

The Charlotte Hornets are prepared to take calls on Gordon Hayward, per @TheSteinLine

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— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 21, 2023

As Stein notes, after the latest injury to star point guard LaMelo Ball (his third ankle sprain of the season), the Bugs will be "prioritizing their lottery position"... In other words, going full-on tank-mode to try and secure the best odds to pull out that prized ping-pong ball that will land them generational talent Victor Wembanyama. 

The Hornets are currently 13-34, solidly positioned in the bottom four of the overall league standings. Each of the bottom four teams receives an equal chance at winning the draft lottery and getting the No. 1 pick. 

Of those three available vets, however, only Oubre is on an expiring contract ($12.6M), and he's expected to return from hand surgery right around the trade deadline. Teams interested in bringing in Rozier or Hayward would have to take on some (read: lots of) money. 

Rozier is having the best scoring year of his career, averaging 21.3 points, but he also just signed a 4-year, $96.3M contract before last season. Two more years and $48M (after this season) to run on that. The oft-injured Hayward is still owed $31.5M next season on his deal signed with the Hornets in 2020. 

Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels are also said to be on the block from Charlotte.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports