The Charlotte Hornets have been a staple of the NBA since their inception in 1988, and have had their fair share of ups and downs over the years. However, one of the biggest changes in the team’s history came in 2010, when Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the franchise. Jordan’s presence brought a new level of excitement and energy to the team, and fans were hopeful that he would be able to lead the Hornets to new heights.
Unfortunately, Jordan’s tenure as owner was not without its challenges. Despite his legendary status as a player, he struggled to build a winning team on the court, and the Hornets often found themselves mired in mediocrity. To nobody’s surprise, it is official that Michael Jordan is out of Charlotte as majority owner, after a torrid run that saw the Hornets fail to achieve any success whatsoever. In fact, there hasn’t been a single player to actually become the superstar of the team and convince fans he is the one to bring postseason success. Kemba Walker had a solid run, making three All-Star Teams, and LaMelo Ball has superstar potential, but the franchise has not benefitted from their presence as of yet.
However, the Hornets wasted no time in making their intentions clear. With Jordan’s departure, the team sees an opportunity to build a superteam that could compete for championships in the years to come. Ball was widely regarded as one of the most talented players in his draft, and his arrival in Charlotte was seen as a major coup for the team as a cornerstone. However, he along with other assets could be on the chopping block if it means creating a dominant Big Three and solid starting five.
With a talented young core and a few key veterans, the Hornets are poised to make some noise in the NBA for years to come. It won’t be easy, but the franchise can find a way to create a dominant Big Three that includes three new faces and a host of solid free agents who will help make Charlotte a team to be feared. Here is the ultimate plan for a Charlotte Hornets superteam next season.
A Blockbuster Swap Of All-Star Point Guards
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LaMelo Ball has been a solid point guard for the team so far, making the All-Star Team in 2022 and posting 23.3 PPG and 8.4 APG this season. As great as Ball will be someday, he probably won’t be on the level of Trae Young in terms of offensive dominance. In fact, the Atlanta Hawks could be looking to move on from their two-time All-Star and a blockbuster swap of guards could be in the cards.
Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: LaMelo Ball, 2025 First-Round Pick
There is no doubt that LaMelo Ball and Trae Young are both talented point guards in the NBA. LaMelo was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and has shown flashes of brilliance in his three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. Trae Young, on the other hand, has been in the league for a few years now and has already established himself as one of the best players in the game when it comes to being an offensive superstar.
So, why should the Charlotte Hornets consider swapping LaMelo Ball for Trae Young? There are a few factors to consider. First, Trae Young is a proven scorer and playmaker in the NBA. He has already averaged over 25 PPG and 9 APG in his career, and he has shown the ability to take over games with his scoring and passing. LaMelo Ball, while talented, is still a young player and has yet to prove himself at the NBA level and especially in the playoffs. Remember, Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020-21 season.
Another factor to consider is the fit with the team. The Charlotte Hornets are an up-and-coming team, and Trae Young could be the missing piece that helps them take the next step. His scoring and playmaking ability would complement the Hornets’ path to stardom, as the franchise wants to win right now. On the other hand, LaMelo Ball may not be the best fit for the team’s contending roster, and his development could be hindered by playing on a team with changes coming.
Young averaged 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG this season and had excellent numbers in the playoffs, averaging 29.2 PPG and 10.2 APG against the Boston Celtics in the first round. There is no doubt that Young is a superstar on the offensive end and he is the cornerstone for any franchise looking to add two-way stars and create a Big Three someday. LaMelo will be a player that the Atlanta Hawks would actually prefer to have as he is a little over three years younger than Young and can extend the franchise’s path to rebuilding for the longer term.
Adding Star Power With Pascal Siakam
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With a new All-Star point guard in town, the Hornets need to provide Young with a defensive-minded player who can cover multiple positions to cover up his weaknesses on defense. Athleticism, scoring, and basketball IQ are the key components to the next All-Star and Pascal Siakam fits the bill as a former NBA champion with an exceptional all-around game at only 29 years old.
Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors: Gordon Hayward, James Bouknight, 2028 First-Round Pick
The Charlotte Hornets have been making moves to improve their roster in recent years, and acquiring Pascal Siakam could be a significant step toward building a competitive team. Siakam is a versatile forward who can play the power forward, center, and small forward positions, and he has proven himself to be a valuable asset on both ends of the court. The assets Charlotte gives up will certainly be worth it considering Siakam’s elite level as a star.
Gordon Hayward has been a solid contributor for the Hornets since joining the team in 2020, but his contract is quite expensive and he has struggled with injuries in recent years. Trading him would free up cap space for the team and allow them to pursue other players in free agency. James Bouknight is a promising young player who was drafted by the Hornets in 2021, but he is still unproven at the NBA level and may not be ready to contribute immediately.
In exchange for Hayward, Bouknight, and a future first-round pick, the Hornets would be getting a proven star in Siakam. He has been a key player for the Toronto Raptors in recent years, helping them win the NBA championship in 2019 alongside Kawhi Leonard. Siakam is a strong scorer who can create his own shot and also has the ability to play solid defense. He would be a great addition to the Hornets’ frontcourt, alongside players like the recently-acquired Trae Young.
Siakam averaged 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG for the Toronto Raptors this season and did not have much help beside him as the team was shambolic at times. With Trae Young, Siakam has a point guard who can make scoring easy for him. Not to mention, the big man will be able to do what he does naturally: defend, run on the break, and do the dirty work when it comes to helping to build a winning culture as he had in Toronto.
Create The Best Pick-N-Roll Duo In The NBA With Zion Williamson
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The final step to building a superteam in Charlotte is to acquire yet another All-Star player to create a dominant Big Three that will be together for the next seven years at least. That man is Zion Williamson, one of the future faces of the NBA and an extremely impactful player in every category.
Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Terry Rozier, No. 2 Overall Pick
As great as Trae Young and Pascal Siakam are, adding a player like Zion Williamson could take them to the next level. Williamson is a dominant force on the court, with his combination of size, strength, and athleticism making him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Trading the No. 2 overall pick and Terry Rozier for Williamson would be a bold move, but it could pay off in a big way. The No. 2 pick is valuable, but it’s unlikely that the Hornets will find a player in this year’s draft who can make an immediate impact like Williamson can. Rozier is a solid player who averaged 21.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 5.1 APG, but he’s not a star like Williamson.
One potential concern with this trade is Williamson’s injury history. He’s missed significant time in each of his first two seasons in the league, and there are questions about whether his playing style puts him at risk for future injuries. However, if the Hornets are willing to take that risk, they could be rewarded with one of the most dominant players in the league.
Adding Williamson would give them a formidable frontcourt duo with him and Trae Young, and the pick-and-roll would be simply unstoppable. Guarding Young on the pick-and-roll means the opposition does not give up a three-point shot, but that means a Williamson poster is likely to occur. On the flip side, Young can utilize his quick release from deep if the defense prefers to focus on the big man.
There will be no answer for the pick-and-roll, especially since Young has averaged at least 9.0 APG over the past few seasons and is an elite passer. Zion Williamson and Pascal Siakam would also form a modern “twin-towers” pairing that can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and run on the break with Young handling the ball.
Overall, trading the No. 2 pick and Rozier for Williamson would be a high-risk, high-reward move for the Hornets. If Williamson can stay healthy and continue to develop his game, he could be a franchise-changing player for Charlotte alongside Young and Siakam. With three All-Stars, the Hornets need to find a way to fill out the roster with role players who complement the Big Three.
Complete The Team With At Least Five Talented Free Agents
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With the Big Three solidified, the Charlotte Hornets need to complete the team with a host of shrewd free-agent signings that provides shooting, defense, size, and veteran experience. It is never easy to sell a free agent in a particular situation, but a Big Three in their prime is waiting for help. Charlotte is also an incredible sports city with loyal fans, and a host of free agents could be trying their luck with a new team.
The first name that has to pop out in the free agent market is Patrick Beverley, one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. Beverley receives a ton of criticism for his on-court antics and his opponents don’t particularly like him, but the man competes on both ends of the court. The former No. 42 overall pick has made three All-Defensive Team selections for a reason, and he is known to fortify a defense that would be useful on the perimeter since Trae Young is somewhat of a sive on that end.
The next name that has to stand out is Donte DiVincenzo, who could be looking for a chance to start again alongside an All-Star point guard. DiVincenzo averaged 9.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.5 APG on 39.7% shooting from three, so he is exactly the type of player the Hornets should look to target on a mid-level deal at the most. DiVincenzo is also an above-average defender, and at 6’4”, he is not another small guard and can hold his own on both ends of the court. With the experience he had in Golden State, Donte is also ready to help a team win games.
With two new guards coming in from the free agent pool, the key has to be to add forwards and a capable backup big man. Grant Williams is certainly a forward that any team wants because he can shoot the corner three, defends multiple positions, and has an excellent attitude. Williams averaged 39.5% from three this season and he can be the type of player who can help a team with tremendous offensive players compete on defense. A big man who could be very useful is Thomas Bryant, a 6’10” inside presence who also shot an impressive 44.1% from deep.
Bryant was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers due to lack of minutes, and even if he did not get enough time with the Denver Nuggets, he did win a ring due to the team’s championship run. Next season, Bryant wants minutes and he will be trusted to shoot the three, rebound, and defend the rim. Similarly, Mason Plumlee is a backup center who played two seasons with the Hornets before joining the Los Angeles Clippers this season. Plumlee is 6’11” with a physical game which can make him a perfect backup for the often-injured Zion Williamson and the finesse Pascal Siakam. With five new free agents signed on veteran and mid-level deals, the Hornets have enough depth around the star players.
The Charlotte Hornets Kick Off Post-Michael Jordan Era With A Superteam
Overall, the Charlotte Hornets need to make immediate moves following Michael Jordan’s departure as majority owner. Jordan did a terrible job leading a franchise considering his superstar status as a player, and he might have been holding the Hornets back in terms of going all-in for championships. By swapping LaMelo Ball for Trae Young and going after blockbuster deals for the possibly available Pascal Siakam and Zion Williamson, there is a Big Three in town.
The Hornets need star players to make a push in the Eastern Conference, since the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat are all coming back with a vengeance next season. With a Big Three, Charlotte jumps up the rankings for a top 4 spot, and the team needs to continue building the team through the free agent pool. Players such as Patrick Beverley, Donte DiVincenzo, Grant Williams, Thomas Bryant, and Mason Plumlee would be perfect fits for a franchise needing shooting, defense, hustle, and size to compete in the talented East.
While respect will be given to the Bucks, Celtics, and Heat due to the fact they have each made the Finals in recent years, the Hornets will be right in the mix with them. None of those teams have three elite All-Stars in their primes as Charlotte does, and that will be the difference in the postseason. The days of being average or even below average could be over for Charlotte fans because a superteam could be created before the 2023-24 NBA season starts.
