Hornets reporter Rod Boone delivers content you can't get anywhere else, from deep-dive analysis of the young core to the latest locker room buzz. A Charlotte Observer subscription gives you the best access to breaking news and exclusive player interviews. By DIAMOND VENCES
The timing was impeccable.
Collin Sexton had just wrapped up a conversation about why things are trending in the right direction for the Charlotte Hornets and what it’s like to block out the external noise leading into the trade deadline when an alert came through on social media.
A major eight-player swap went down, with the Memphis Grizzlies sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Sexton’s old team in Utah. The breaking news made Sexton do a double-take when the names of those on the move were rattled off, an indicator that trade season is officially underway.
Still, with Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, Sexton and the Hornets insist the easiest way to keep the chatter from becoming a distraction is to stiff arm it as much as possible.
Charlotte Hornets Collin Sexton heads up the court Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 during the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
“All the stuff that’s going on outside,” Sexton told The Charlotte Observer following Tuesday’s practice, “just continue to focus on what’s going on on the inside and continue to have the habits that we’ve been building since Day One, since we were in training camp, even in the summer as well.
“Just block out what the distractions are. Don’t allow the distractions to leak over into the team, into the arena. So, that’s how I try to keep all that, all the nonsense and everything that’s going on outside — leaving it on the outside.”
As someone who’s been dealt twice in his career, Sexton knows the business side of the game and how things work. His contract situation is one of the reasons his name is among those rumored to possibly be headed elsewhere.
Sexton, 27, is in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract inked in a sign-and-trade between Cleveland and Utah in 2022. He’s earning $18.9 million this season, and his expiring pact could be used by the Hornets as a way to acquire a future asset.
If Jeff Peterson, the Hornets’ president of basketball operations, does any kind of wheeling and dealing before the deadline, the premise would be gathering more draft capital to add to the already-growing stable Peterson has collected in less than two full years in charge of personnel in Charlotte.
“I think the Hornets will just try to do some small stuff trying to accumulate some draft picks,” one high-ranking official on an Eastern Conference team told The Observer.
Perhaps that involves Tre Mann.
Viewed as a key piece of the young core and a priority re-signing this past offseason, Mann was supposed to add depth to the Hornets’ backcourt.
Things haven’t gone exactly as planned for both sides, though.
After missing all but 13 games of the 2024-25 season with disc herniation, this was supposed to be a redemption — or even resumption — year for Mann. But as he celebrated turning 23 years old on Tuesday, he’s probably pondering exactly where he fits in with the Hornets moving forward.
Mann has dropped completely out of coach Charles Lee’s main rotation, playing only sparingly in spot duty. He’s appeared in just 30 of the Hornets’ 51 games, averaging 7.5 points while shooting 37.4% overall and 32.8% from 3-point range. He hasn’t displayed that same form fans became accustomed to seeing prior to his 2024-25 season cut short.
Charlotte Hornets guards LaMelo Ball, left Tre Mann, center and Pat Connaughton, right, sit on the bench during the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on Monday, February 2, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 102-95. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Injuries also didn’t help things much throughout the first three months of the season. He missed multiple games nursing right hip soreness, a right knee bone bruise and a left ankle impingement.
Factor in the rapid development of rookie Sion James and it’s hard to understand how Mann can chisel his way back into the crowded backcourt rotation barring an injury to someone ahead of him in the pecking order.
Even so, Mann hasn’t let the lack of playing time affect his preparation. He was among the final players on the court after practice, getting in drill work and pickup action with Tidjane Salaun, Pat Connaughton and coaching staff members.
While that was going on, Sexton had a lengthy sitdown session with assistant coach Lamar Skeeter. Basically, it was business as usual.
Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton, left, speaks with assistant coach Lamar Skeeter, right, during action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on Monday, February 2, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 102-95. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“I think our guys have handled it great,” Lee said. “Because, again, the focus has just been on how can we get better today, how can we control what we can control. And the mindset of just how can I help the guy next to me improve, how can I help this team win?”
Sexton hopes to still be doing that with the Hornets that beyond Thursday.
“Oh, yeah,” Sexton said. “I definitely love it here. Love it in Charlotte. Close to home. I just love being a part of something, being a part of culture change. I like being able to come in and be a vet to the young guys. Be able to show them hard work pays off and also be able to be there for them through the ups, through the downs, through the wins, through the losses.”
“And be able to just be a good stand-up dude at all times. We tend to forget that we’re humans first. Sometimes you just need a little bit of, ‘Oh, man, how you doing today?’ Or sometimes it’s ‘How’s your family doing?’ I feel like that’s something I bring to this team, being able to be that vet.”