Charlotte Hornets Trade Deadline Primer: Defensive Upgrades

The Charlotte Hornets rank 6th in the NBA in offensive rating, effectively meaning they have the sixth-best offense of any team in the association. That’s objectively good by all measures, especially when considering how it’s spearheaded by a 20-year-old point guard.

The ranking underlines how offense isn’t much of a need for the club, which leads us to their defensive rating, which ranks 26th in the NBA. By all measures, that’s objectively bad, and it seems the 28-25 Hornets would stand to benefit from a defensive upgrade.

The elusive center

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Charlotte’s needs at center, wherein Mo Bamba was mentioned as a candidate. He remains a candidate, simply due to upside, wingspan (7’10) and defensive capabilities.

The other two candidates, Richaun Holmes and James Wiseman, don’t really solve Charlotte’s defensive issues, nor do they necessarily project as high-impact defenders down the line. So let’s forego those two, include Bamba for now, and move on to a few more options at the big spot.

Daniel Theis, Houston Rockets

Daniel Theis from the Houston Rockets will never blow anyone anyone away with his 0.9 career block average, or his modest 3.4 defensive rebounds. However, he’s a positionally sound defensive player who at just 6’8 moves well, has a fair bit of athleticism in him, and his 250-pound frame allows him to not get backed down easily.

He hasn’t had a good year in Houston, in large part due to the Rockets being in the middle of a rebuild where a 29-year-old like himself doesn’t have a long-term future. As such, Theis could afford a change of scenery.

The German center signed a four-year contract worth $35.6 million last summer, and accounts for a cap hit of $8.2 million this season. However, finding a deal isn’t as straightforward, despite Theis’ modest salary. While Mason Plumlee and his $8.1 million works fantastically, the Hornets would need to attach additional value like draft pick compensation, which seems steep. They would also be without a back-up center afterwards.

The Hornets could send out James Bouknight and Ish Smith, but are they willing to relinquish last year’s 11th overall lottery selection for Theis, who is a solid, albeit unspectacular option at center?

Such a move would almost force the Hornets into going for it now, as Bouknight is a fairly significant piece to give up, especially this soon.

Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

This one will be tricky for a few reasons, as Robinson is an unrestricted free agent after this season. How much would the Hornets be willing to sacrifice for a player who may leave in five months?

The good news is that New York can’t demand a haul for Robinson exactly due to that predicament, so the Hornets may be able to get away with an offer of Vernon Carey Jr or JT Thor, simply due to those guys being locked up for longer.

Robinson, 23, is currently averaging 8.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just 25.0 minutes of playing time. While he still has some ways to go in becoming an elite defensive center, there is upside. He has an uncanny knack for blocking three-point attempts and the combination of length (7’0 height with a 7’4 wingspan) and athleticism is intriguing.

Robinson would also present himself as a tremendous lob threat to LaMelo Ball, as 509 of his 738 made field goals during his career have been dunks.

Robinson is earning just $1.8 million, which aligns with the aforementioned Carey or Thor.

It would be a low-risk move for the Hornets, but could become a punch to the gut if Robinson delivers, and then leaves in July. At some point though, the Hornets might have to risk it.

Moving offense for defense

The Hornets could, on paper, afford to pivot away from some offensive contributors in order to upgrade their defense.

With Kelly Oubre Jr coming in and presenting himself as an instant offense force off the bench, averaging 16.7 points in just 28.1 minutes, it’s fair to wonder if that allows Charlotte to move away from Gordon Hayward.

The 31-year-old former All-Star is also putting up 16.7 points, like Oubre, but plays five more minutes per game. His 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 39.3% from downtown rounds out a steady production.

The challenge in moving off Hayward is mostly financial. He’s earning $29.9 million this season, followed by $30.0 million next season and $31.5 million the season after that one.

That’s a huge financial commitment for any team to take on.

One trade that works is Hayward going to Dallas for center Kristaps Porzingis, the 7’3 Latvian who offers tremendous height up front, and swats 1.7 shots per game.

It’s debatable if Porzingis is a good enough defender to warrant this trade being framed as offense for defense, but with a highly athletic and mobile Miles Bridges alongside him, it’s not an impossible case to make, as that would allow Porzingis to play more drop coverage and let defenders get to him, instead of having to chase them around the perimeter.

Offensively, Porzingis should also mesh well with Ball, being both a roll-option and a floor-spacer, as he’s averaging 19.2 points in just 29.5 minutes this season.

The Pacers could also be looking to make some chances, which makes sense given that they’re projected to finish fourth in their division. Would Indiana be willing to fork over Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb ($28 million total) for Hayward?

Turner is currently injured, but he might work as the best possible center solution to the Hornets long-term.

Not only is he an annual candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, he’s the rare elite rim protector (2.8 blocks) who can also space the floor (33.3% from downtown) while requiring less shots than Porzingis for example.

The Hornets have some options to explore if they’re willing to move off Hayward, but given their trajectory and average age, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to be open to it.