There is a substantial sentiment that the Charlotte Hornets [must target another ball-handler](https://swarmandsting.com/door-just-swung-wide-open-hornets-solve-nagging-problem) at this year's trade deadline. With the Chicago Bulls recently adding more guards, perhaps the Hornets should reach out to them to gauge their interest in addressing their sudden surplus.
Chicago made a couple of moves that make it clear it isn't done dealing yet. It unloaded Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in a package that includes Anfernee Simons, a guard who needs the ball in his hands to be effective. In another trade, it acquired Jaden Ivey from the Detroit Pistons and veteran Mike Conley from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Let's take a look at the Bulls' backcourt depth chart. They already have Josh Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones. So, they have seven potential rotation-level guards on the roster. Unless they plan to have any of those guys manning the power forward spot, they should look to sell at least a couple of those players.
Checking the Hornets' options
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The most interesting name among those I've mentioned is White. He is a legitimate, albeit high-usage, scorer with solid playmaking chops. In some ways, he could be an upgrade over Collin Sexton if the Hornets want to shop the veteran guard around in exchange for more assets.
The problem with acquiring White is that he probably sees himself as a starter and might balk at the idea of coming off the bench for a play-in squad. Moreover, Chicago's asking price might be more than what the Hornets can afford.
Dosunmu would also be an intriguing guard to watch for Charlotte. He is a capable two-way player who has shot pretty efficiently (52-45-85 shooting splits) this season. He is more of a score-first guard, though, so he might not be of that much help to the team's playmaking issues. Besides, the Bulls appear more inclined to trade White than Dosunmu, especially with the addition of another high-usage scorer in Simons.
That leaves Jones and Conley as the possible targets for the Hornets. And that may not be such a bad thing.
Jones is a career backup point guard who looks to facilitate rather than seek his own shots. His defense has also been a plus for most of his NBA career. A major challenge, though, would be his nonexistent outside shot.
Perhaps the Hornets can take Conley off Chicago's hands if it doesn't plan on holding onto him beyond the trade deadline. The 38-year-old has been washed for a while now. But he could be a solid half-season rental for them before they try to tackle their point guard dilemma again in the offseason, when there would be more solutions available in free agency or the draft.
It remains to be seen if the Hornets will make a minor splash in the following days. They just have to [make sure not to overpay](https://swarmandsting.com/heat-regret-trading-former-hornets-guard-soars-all-time-high) for a highly risky move.