Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
The Celtics are clear contenders for the NBA title this season. By contrast, the Hornets are…something else.
With that said, they have been surprisingly competitive so far this year. At 3-3, many fans would probably prefer for them to make win-now moves.
We would not. Something about the Hornets’ early (and frankly, modest) success feels noisy. LaMelo Ball hasn’t even played yet. One way or another, it feels doubtful that the Hornets will be serious contenders this season.
Therefore, they should be focused on future assets. Flipping Washington ahead of his foray into restricted free agency for a first-round pick is smart in that regard.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets & Boston Celtics Updates
If they’re lucky, they’ll be able to use that pick to land an important piece for their next contending team.