In a matter of days, many players around the league will be eligible to be traded. That means the Charlotte Hornets could be revving up to be active in the trade market. Interestingly, team president Jeff Peterson has already indicated the organization won't rule out making deals that align with its direction.
The Hornets' battle with injuries could be an impetus for them to seek roster upgrades in the coming months. However, it's also plausible that the franchise could act as a seller, as it has tradeable veterans or contracts, which could net long-term assets in return.
Among the most oft-discussed pieces has been Nick Richards, whose growing two-way game has likely attracted contenders who need big man depth. Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic, both of whom have been surprisingly productive in spurts this season, could also generate interest.
It's also hard to ignore Seth Curry as a possible trade candidate because he remains one of the league's deadliest marksmen from 3-point land. And the past years have shown that NBA squads can never have too much shooting.
League insider Jake Fischer recently shared (subscription required) why the 34-year-old guard could be a hot commodity besides his perimeter shooting. Per the longtime sports scribe, Curry's $3.3 million salary has a cap hit of a little over $2 million. As such, other teams looking to add a proven shooter could find a cheap one in the Hornets vet.
But why should Charlotte agree to move a player whose skill set is in high demand and who has a deep connection with the city? Curry grew up in the Queen City and played college ball at Duke University.
As great as his fit with the Hornets is, the sniper doesn't have a consistent role with the squad. Currently, he is playing just 12.4 minutes per game, connecting on 44.4 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, albeit only attempting 2.0 3-pointers per contest. The impending return of injured rotation pieces, including LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann, as well as the emergence of younger players, such as DaQuan Jeffries, KJ Simpson, Nick Smith Jr., and Isaiah Wong, could make him more expendable.
It remains to be seen how long Curry continues suiting up for the Hornets. Don't be surprised if he finds a new home anytime from now until the trade deadline, especially if shipping him can bring back a second-round pick. Charlotte can also include him in a possibly bigger trade.