NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players that the Charlotte Hornets should trade away

Since the Charlotte Bobcats rebranded as the Hornets in 2014, the franchise has gained little traction in the NBA. Since the teams rebranding four years ago, the Hornets have been to the playoffs just once (15-16 season), and Charlotte's most notable achievement is that they are the only team in the league that is allowed to sport the famous 'Jumpman' logo (thanks to Michael Jordan being the main owner of the franchise).

The Hornets also entered the current season coming off of a disappointing 17/18 campaign, in which the team finished with a 36-46 record. While there was little excitement surrounding the team coming into the 18/19 season, the Hornets have managed to put themselves into contention for a rare postseason appearance. The team has started the season with a 16-17 record, and despite being one game under .500, the Hornets are currently the seventh seeds in the Eastern Conference.

Nevertheless, the Hornets roster is still riddled with both overpaid and underperforming individuals, and here we will examine the three players that the team should look to offload before the February trade deadline.

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#3 Cody Zeller

Charlotte Hornets v Miami Heat

After serving as back up to Dwight Howard during the 17/18 season, Cody Zeller has returned to the Charlotte Hornets starting lineup this season. Howard departed in the summer after just one year with the team, and Zeller has benefited from a lack of competition to regain his starting place.

Despite this, Zeller has failed to demonstrate his ability to become a valuable player to the team, and he is currently averaging just 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The 26-year-old is also signed to a 4-year, $56 million contract that lasts until 2020, and the Hornets should try and trade Zeller for a more dominant center such as Hassan Whiteside from the Heat.

#2 Bismack Biyombo

Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards

Over the summer, Bismack Biyombo was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a three-team trade, that also included the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets gave up Timofey Mozgov and Julyan Stone as part of the trade, while also receiving two future second-round picks as part of the deal.

The trademarked a reunion between the Hornets and Biyombo, as the center previously represented the Charlotte team between 2011-2015. Nevertheless, the Congolese player has struggled for game time in his second stint with the franchise and has not featured for the team since playing four minutes against the Timberwolves at the start of December.

The center has also yet to start for the Hornets, and in his 10 appearances from the bench, Biyombo has managed just 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. A trade will be difficult due to the 26-year-old currently being halfway through a four-year, $72 million contract, although the team should do everything in their power to move him on.

#1 Kemba Walker

Cleveland Cavaliers v Charlotte Hornets

Kemba Walker is far and away the Charlotte Hornets best and most valuable player. The All-Star is currently averaging career highs in points (25.2), assists (6.2), and rebounds (4.4), and there is no doubting that he is entering his prime years.

Nevertheless, if the 2019 trade deadline is approaching and the Hornets have fallen out of playoff contention, then it makes sense to trade away the 28-year-old All-Star.

Walker will become a free agent in the summer, and despite his loyalty to the team that drafted him in 2011, it appears unlikely that he will sign a new long-term deal. Teams such as the Lakers could be desperate in the days building up to the February trade deadline, and the Hornets should be able to get a number of assets in return for their 2-time All-Star.

Ultimately, if Walker is going to leave the Hornets in the summer, then the franchise should consider trading him, in order to get something in return.