The Charlotte Hornets are in the midst of a successful 2021-22 NBA campaign but is riding a four-game losing streak as the trade deadline nears. The team holds a 28-26 record and is loaded with talent between young franchise-cornerstones like LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges to savvy veterans like Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier.
One thing remains clear when it comes to evaluating the landscape of the Hornets’ roster, however. Charlotte soon will have a tough time paying all of their key young players without moving one of them, or making a trade that sheds future salary from one of their higher paid names. Meanwhile, the team needs a legitimate center.
According to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, the Charlotte Hornets are ‘looking for a new home’ for PJ Washington and also ‘want in’ on a trade for Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers—a player the team has long been linked as having interest in trading for.
Charlotte is still looking for a new home for PJ Washington. The Celtics got a nice look at him on Wednesday when the sturdy 6-foot-7 forward showed off his range with four 3-pointers. But we’re being told the Hornets want in on Indiana’s Myles Turner.
In terms of Turner’s injury status, it does seem encouraging that Turner did not end up being diagnosed with a stress fracture and instead is currently recovering from a stress reaction. The thought has been that he will be sidelined through the NBA trade deadline and most likely the NBA All-Star break, too.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner Was Close To Being Traded To Trail Blazers?
Turner recently had another scan of his foot and the news was described as being ‘good’ by Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle—explaining the how is for Turner to return ‘sooner than later.’ It was also mentioned by Carlisle that Turner is expected to ‘ramp up some things soon.’
It still seems as though some NBA front offices running teams that are in the heat of the playoff race may be a big reluctant to make an aggressive move to meet the Pacers’ often lofty asking price to get a deal done involving Myles Turner. Could P.J. Washington be of appeal to Indiana in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets? He could slot in next to Domantas Sabonis long-term.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Myles Turner Was Close To Being Traded To Trail Blazers?
The shot blocking presence that Myles Turner brings catches a lot of the attention but he brings real versatility as a defender in pick-and-roll situations and can hold his own on switches. He’s also greatly improved as a finisher against contact and in the post against mismatches. His 3-point percentage took a dive toward the time of his diagnoses, but it is believed he was dealing with his foot injury leading up to the diagnosis.
The prevailing thought around the league has been the increasing likelihood that Myles Turner remains a member of the Indiana Pacers through the NBA trade deadline but is moved closer to the 2022 NBA Draft.
