Could the Hornets Enter the Giannis Sweepstakes? Why Charlotte Should At Least Make the Call
The NBA rumor mill rarely sleeps, and with reports swirling that Giannis Antetokounmpo has requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, teams across the league are undoubtedly lining up to see if they have a shot at landing the two-time MVP. One team that might not immediately come to mind-but probably should-is the Charlotte Hornets.
On paper, Charlotte might seem like a longshot. But when you look a little closer at the pieces in place, the idea of Giannis in teal and purple gets a little more interesting-if not entirely realistic.
Why Giannis Could Fit in Charlotte
Let’s start with the basketball fit. Giannis is a generational talent-one of the few players in the league who can single-handedly change a franchise’s trajectory. Pairing him with Charlotte’s young core, particularly Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, could be a fascinating experiment in both spacing and star synergy.
Knueppel has been a revelation. He plays with a poise and polish well beyond his years, and his all-around game makes him the kind of player who can mesh with just about anyone.
But playing alongside someone like Giannis? That’s a whole new level of basketball education.
Giannis' ability to collapse defenses would open up the floor for Knueppel to operate more freely, and the rookie’s high-IQ game would complement the Greek Freak’s relentless style.
Then there’s Miller. Injuries have slowed his development, but when healthy, he’s shown flashes of being a high-level shot-maker and floor spacer. His perimeter shooting and ability to create secondary offense would be a perfect release valve for Giannis, who thrives when surrounded by capable shooters that force defenses to pick their poison.
And while LaMelo Ball has the talent to be a franchise cornerstone, his injury history and lingering questions about his maturity have made it tough for Charlotte to fully build around him. That complicates things-especially when you’re talking about constructing a trade for someone like Antetokounmpo.
The Harsh Reality: It’s a Long Shot
Let’s be honest-this is a dream scenario. There are several major hurdles standing in the way of a Giannis-to-Charlotte deal, starting with the fact that he’s earned the right to have a say in where he goes. And if he’s leaving Milwaukee to chase more championships, it’s hard to imagine Charlotte-another small-market team still in the early stages of a rebuild-being at the top of his list.
Then there’s the trade math. Yes, the Hornets do have a stockpile of draft picks, and they could be willing to part with a few if it meant landing a superstar.
But Milwaukee is likely looking for more than just picks. They’ll want a young, foundational piece to kickstart their next era.
Could LaMelo be that guy? Maybe.
But his injury history complicates his trade value, and it’s unclear if the Bucks would view him as a centerpiece.
There’s also the creative route-Hornets GM Jeff Peterson could explore flipping LaMelo elsewhere, collecting assets, and then packaging those to Milwaukee. It’s a high-wire act, and it would take serious maneuvering. But stranger things have happened in this league.
Why Charlotte Should Still Get Involved
Even if the odds are slim, the Hornets should absolutely pick up the phone. If nothing else, inserting themselves into the Giannis sweepstakes gives them a chance to gauge the market and possibly play facilitator in a larger deal. That could net them draft capital or young players-valuable assets for a team still trying to build something sustainable.
Charlotte has been stuck in the NBA’s middle ground for too long. Taking a swing-whether it lands Giannis or just gets them closer to a better future-is the kind of bold thinking this franchise needs.
So no, Giannis probably isn’t walking through that door. But the Hornets owe it to themselves to at least knock.