The last two weeks the Charlotte Hornets have been making moves in the trade market. They just got rid of Lance Stephenson, now they make two more moves yesterday to add to a building roster.
Trade breakdown:
Portland Trailblazers get:
G/F Gerald Herderson
F Noah Vonleh
Charlotte Hornets get:
F Nicolas Batum
Oklahoma City Thunder get:
F Matt Barnes
Charlotte Hornets gets:
G Jeremy Lamb
See “Note” for breakdown
In trading for Batum the Hornets are admitting they made a mistake last year in drafting Vonleh in the lottery. Batum will give the Hornets a guy who can mesh well with Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Batum is a good defender, decent distributor and solid from behind the arc. With Batum in the last year of a 4 year deal this will be an audition for nice money next summer.
The Blazers get a player filled with potential in Vonleh, being for on the street is LaMarcus Aldridge may be on the way out very soon. Henderson provides an adequate replacement for Affalo and Matthews with either chooses to resign this summer.
The second move will fly under the radar, but it has the potential to be huge for the Hornets. I haven’t sold my Jeremy Lamb stock yet even thought my shares are dwindling. Getting him for Matt Barnes is a win-win for the Hornets as they were going to release him anyway via buyout and that’s something the Thunder may do also. To get a guy that’s young and still has promise is a good deal if he pans out or not.
The Hornets have been willing and dealing are they done? Do you like the moves? Let us know in the comment box.
Note:
The Grizzlies traded for Matt Barnes giving the Hornets Luke Ridnour. In turn trading Ridnour and a conditional 2nd rd 2016 pick to the Thunder for Jeremy Lamb.
I am somewhat humbly impressed with the moves the front office of Charlotte has made. I liked getting rid of Lance. There was just too much money tied up in someone who’s no better than a 6th man. Nick Batum is going to be able to run the floor with MKG and Kemba. That will give them an added dimension to running the half court offense all game. Plus he has a decent shot. Personally I think Lamb is underrated. I think OKC undervalued him and put too much pressure on the starters, hence the injuries they had to deal with this past year. Scott Brooks didn’t go to the bench very often that I saw, unless it was to give Westbrook or Ibaka rest. They both played heavy minutes down the stretch. I think Hornets fans like myself will be in for a treat this year. #buzzcity
Lamb has potential and you are right Brooks didn’t use his bench right imo. Getting rid of Lance was a good move for you guys because it just didn’t fit. Batum will be another guy that should fit with Walker..