Trade rumors: Charlotte Hornets interested in Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond

Evaluating Charlotte’s assets

Charlotte has plenty to offer in terms of young assets. The Hornets have all of their picks and three players who are the legal drinking age.

Miles Bridges has a lot of bounce and has improved his 3-point shot by three percentage points. His athleticism allows him to play above the rim and sky for rebounds. He’s a key piece for the Hornets moving forward and, though there are many Pistons fans who’d love to have the former Michigan State Spartan, he’s likely unavailable.

PJ Washington was selected 12th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and he’s putting up a quiet Rookie of the Year campaign. He’s averaging 12 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 47.9% from 3-point range while attempting 3.2 perimeter shots per game. He’s likely another young asset that is unavailable.

Malik Monk is still a coveted asset by the Hornets but may be the most likely to be moved, as Deveney’s story said. The 6-foot-3 slasher has good athleticism but is not a capable shooter. While his true shooting percentage is trending upward at a career-best 55%, he’s shooting a career-worst 28.6% from 3-point range. The previous two seasons he shot 34.2% and 33%, respectively, so there’s reason to believe the small sample size will average out.

Where he’s increased his efficiency is in the mid-range. As a sophomore he shot 25% from 3 to 10 feet and this season he’s up to 56.5%. He’s improved his percentage from every distance except 3-point range, which is reason to believe he’ll get it going from there.

His overall field goal percentage has ticked up from 38.7% last season to 46.5% this season. Fresh on Pistons fans’ minds, he hit the game-winning three against them one week ago.

Charlotte will have $45 million coming off the books in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo and Marvin Williams. That will come into play when negotiating a potential deal.

Cody Martin was a four-year player at Nevada, along with his twin Caleb Martin. The Pistons are no strangers to twins, having previously rostered Marcus Morris and currently having Markieff Morris. But Cody turned in his best all-around performance against the Pistons with seven points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He could be a buy-low option in a possible trade.

The Hornets signed Terry Rozier after losing Kemba Walker in the offseason. He wouldn’t be eligible to be traded until Dec. 15, and probably wouldn’t be anyway. Devonte’ Graham is having a breakout sophomore season to date, a Most Improved Player candidate, and would be unlikely to lure away.

Lastly, Nicolas Batum is a savvy veteran that has been a reliable wing. He’d provide stability on the wing and has been a solid scorer over the years. He’d also come at a price, set to make $27.1 million next season, according to Sportrac, if he opts-in to his player option. But that would free Detroit up for the loaded 2021 free agent class.