As the Charlotte Hornets seek to end their NBA-worst nine-year playoff drought, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a “realistic” trade to help them break through. The analyst anticipated the success-starved franchise taking a major swing on one of the league’s most polarizing figures to give star point guard LaMelo Ball a marquee running mate.
Charlotte is coming off an injury-plagued 19-win season, marking its third consecutive sub-30-win finish. The Hornets’ last postseason appearance came in 2016, four years before Ball was drafted. As such, pressure is mounting on them to turn a corner in the one-time All-Star’s upcoming sixth campaign.
Beyond Ball, Charlotte boasts several intriguing young players, including offensive-minded wing Brandon Miller and 2025 No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel, a versatile sharpshooter. That said, the organization may be a piece or two away from becoming a factor in the 2026 Eastern Conference playoff race.
NBA Analyst Floats Bold Zion Williamson-to-Hornets Trade Idea
On Wednesday, Buckley outlined how Charlotte could acquire New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson without surrendering Ball, Miller, or Knueppel. Instead, the Hornets would part with a package consisting of starting forward Miles Bridges, lower-profile prospects, and draft capital.
Proposed Trade
Hornets Receive: Zion Williamson
Pelicans Receive: Miles Bridges, Tidjane Salaün, Liam McNeeley, 2028 first-round pick (top-three protected), 2029 first-round pick swap, 2027 second-round pick (via NOP or POR)
The writer asserted that with premier teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers dealing with key injuries, the East “feels as wide open as ever,” giving Charlotte a golden opportunity.
According to Buckley, “Buzz City lacks buzz,” which could be resolved by landing Williamson, the 2019 NBA Draft’s No. 1 pick. He foresees the high-flying forward’s presence raising the ceiling of the Hornets’ young core, with Ball’s playmaking complementing Williamson’s explosiveness.
“If Charlotte could somehow keep both Ball and Williamson upright, it would have two of the top 25-and-under talents in all of basketball, plus stars whose strengths overlap in the right way,” Buckley wrote.
“Ball is an elite table-setter; Williamson is a fantastic finisher. Williamson is a clever and capable creator in space; Ball’s range might run as deep as anyone not named Stephen Curry.
However, the analyst noted that the Hornets “would still need a center to feel great about their chances,” with no proven starting-caliber big man on their roster.
As for New Orleans’ potential motive, the analyst reasoned that “it should be new-leaf-turning-over time” for the organization following an underwhelming start to the Williamson era. Amid repeated health setbacks, the two-time All-Star has yet to make his postseason debut.
Trading for Williamson Could Exacerbate Hornets’ Injury Concerns
While Ball and Williamson at full strength could guide Charlotte back to the playoffs, the injury risk accompanying the star pairing may be difficult to overlook.
Ball has played in no more than 51 games in four of his first five seasons. Meanwhile, Williamson has appeared in 30 outings or fewer in four of the last six years, including missing the entire 2021-22 campaign due to a foot injury.
Thus, the Hornets may be better off retaining their trade assets until a more reliable star becomes available than gambling their future on a perennial question mark. This could especially be true with Williamson still having three years remaining on his lucrative five-year, $197,230,450 maximum rookie contract extension.