CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets are taking calls ahead of the trade deadline but remain focused on a potential play-in bid, league sources told The Stein Line, per reporter Jake Fischer.
Hornets’ key trade chip
Guard Collin Sexton and his expiring $19 million contract are viewed as Charlotte’s most practical asset. The short-term deal offers payroll flexibility while providing immediate backcourt scoring for any club seeking help without long-term commitments.
Timberwolves monitoring Sexton
The Minnesota Timberwolves have completed background work on Sexton while exploring point-guard upgrades, Fischer reported. Minnesota remains firm on keeping forward Jaden McDaniels out of any negotiations, yet rival executives expect the Wolves to be among the Western Conference’s more aggressive deadline buyers. Fischer added that Oklahoma City, Denver, Houston and San Antonio are not projected to make major in-season moves, leaving Minnesota — and potentially the Lakers — as the most motivated teams within the West’s top six.
Pelicans likely to stand pat on wings
In New Orleans, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel wrote that standout wings Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are considered off-limits for deadline deals. Instead, opposing scouts list guards Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins and Jordan Poole, along with forward Saddiq Bey, as more attainable pieces — in that order.
Hawks explore alternative upgrades
The Atlanta Hawks recently checked on the availability of Anthony Davis, but Siegel noted that talks never gained traction. League sources believe Atlanta is more inclined to pursue lower-salary improvements built around the expiring contract of Kristaps Porzingis. One scenario mentioned by league personnel featured a Chicago Bulls package centered on Nikola Vucevic and Coby White, though the concept was described as hypothetical rather than an active discussion.
The NBA trade deadline activity continues to intensify as front-office executives evaluate available options.
Source: Hoops Wire
