The Charlotte Hornets aren't messing around. They've recently won nine straight games, their longest streak since the 1999-2000 season where they won 10 in a row.
Because of their success, the Hornets used an opportunity at the trade deadline to buy, adding Coby White, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Malaki Branham.
While Tillman Sr. is likely to be an impact rotation player, the Hornets expect to get the most value out of White, a former 20 points per game scorer with the Chicago Bulls.
Before the trade, White was averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds for Chicago this season.
White makes an intriguing pickup, considering he grew up in the state of North Carolina and also played his college ball at UNC as a member of the Tar Heels.
Although White is on an expiring deal, the Hornets' front office has given every indication that they plan to extend the former No. 7 overall pick.
White recently opened up about his experience with the team and the front office following the trade, despite not having debuted yet.
“As soon as I touched down, I felt wanted,” said White. "Everybody here is just super-welcoming and super-nice. And they keep talking about long term, long term, long term. And just hearing that somewhere where you’re valued for a long term, especially being back home, it means a lot.”
With 29 regular season games remaining for the Hornets, they'll be able to see how well White fits into the rotation before negotiating a contract extension in the summer.
Either way, having given up Collin Sexton (who was also on an expiring contract) and two second-round picks, Charlotte won't lose much if White decides to sign elsewhere.
More NBA news: