There are rumors of a possible Russell Westbrook to Charlotte trade

MJ, please really don’t do this.

You have just one of the most exciting young groups in the NBA. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are significantly from the very best duo in the NBA, but they are the most enjoyable to check out. The broadcast crew, Eric Collins and Dell Curry, are the perfect ringmasters for the high-wire act that Charlotte and League Go addicts are embracing.

Why would you spoil this by bringing in Russell Westbrook?

Marc Stein is reporting he’s read from league insiders that the Charlotte Hornets are a team that has some interest in Westbrook. Arrive on Mike. You don’t want the expiring deal, your group is on the rise. And you unquestionably never require the headache that Westbrook will convey, with media notice for all the mistaken good reasons.

You presently have two guards that aren’t as dependable on protection as you require them to be in Ball and Terry Rozier. At minimum they can shoot. I know guard depth is a concern for the Hornets, Isaiah Thomas has been averaging 13.8 minutes a video game considering that they signed him, but Westbrook ain’t the reply. Moreover, there is no way that Westbrook is likely to be fascinated in taking part in a bit part for the Charlotte Hornets. In community he taken care of the handful of situations that he obtained benched in crunch time nicely this earlier period, but that was with the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. There’s no way he responds effectively to watching Rozier near video games, much a lot less coming off the bench driving him.

For all of the fun highlights that are accompanied by Collins’ enthusiasm, the Hornets do need to make some modifications. It is regrettable that Gordon Hayward has skipped virtually the complete next half of the period, since he was playing effectively. He was yet another playmaker on offense and also averaging 15.9 points per activity on 45.9/39.1/84.6 taking pictures splits. The final activity that he was efficient in was Jan. 21, when he tallied 16 details, seven rebounds and four assists in a blowout earn in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At the time they ended up seventh in the Jap Conference and 6 games above .500. Nevertheless, the Hornets must know they can not rely on Hayward to be wholesome all period. The only time considering that that hideous injury he suffered in his very first recreation with the Boston Celtics in which he’s played the mind-boggling the greater part of the game titles was 2018-19, and he was coming off of the bench.

The Hornets are a 10th seed in the enjoy-in event for a 2nd-consecutive period, but it’s even now an enhancement. Final year, they were six online games below .500. As of right now they are 1 sport above, and are certain of their initial 40-acquire period due to the fact 2015-16. Development is happening even while variations are essential.

People variations typically need to have to come on protection. They presently have the sixth-worst defensive score in the NBA. Even if they do acquire adequate online games to avoid the perform-in following season that’s not anywhere close to fantastic sufficient to compete in the playoffs. They require to pair a 3-and-D guard upcoming to Ball, and also will need a large to safeguard the paint. Mason Plumlee is a pretty excellent athlete, but he cannot anchor a defense like Bam Adebayo, or even Robert Williams. A adjust there is required, and so is ongoing improvement from the electric powered Miles Bridges who has the opportunity to be an all-defensive player as extended as he continually stays engaged on that end of the ground.

It is all there for Jordan to get the one point that has eluded him as a basketball govt and operator, a aggressive staff. We all know he poorly would like it, and the Hornets are only a handful of moves absent with Ball promptly becoming one of the improved gamers in the NBA. He just demands to show some endurance.

I know just after watching The Last Dance that could not appear to be attainable, but the Hornets are in the beginning stages of crew growth. Jordan was there as soon as with the Bulls. Following he bought there, it took them 5 seasons to turn into a championship contender. Ball is only in his 2nd time.

It may well be tempting to try and shortcut the process by bringing in Westbrook, but he’s only going to get worse. Each one working day he receives further and even further absent from the rim-rocking, triple-double accumulating torpedo that he utilised to be. Using him on in the very last year of his contract would be throwing away a 12 months of advancement for practically nothing but cap area after it is all in excess of.

Mike, this team has it. They have a true shot to do anything wonderful. Ball is an all-star in year two, and the team’s document has tremendously enhanced above past year’s. I’m guaranteed you want a veteran presence, but Westbrook is not it. Do not ruin a person of the ideal exhibits on T.V. with this transfer. Just just take a deep breath immediately after the period, test as tough as feasible not to obsess around the Dash Cup Sequence, enjoy some Cincoro, and then do good factors with this Hornets roster as a substitute of bringing in an ornery superstar whose primary is long gone.