Charlotte Hornets Exploring Trade Options with Collin Sexton Amid Frontcourt Concerns
The Charlotte Hornets are back in the trade rumor mill, and this time it’s guard Collin Sexton who’s reportedly on the block. After earlier buzz connecting Charlotte to Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, the latest reports suggest the Hornets are actively gauging interest in Sexton as they look to rebalance a roster that’s heavy on guards and light on reliable frontcourt depth.
Sexton’s availability comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering how early we are in the season. But the Hornets' roster construction has created a logjam in the backcourt, and with injuries thinning out their options at center, a shake-up feels inevitable.
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s absence has left Charlotte leaning on Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate as their primary bigs. Tidjane Salaun offers some versatility, but he’s more comfortable on the perimeter and doesn’t project as a long-term solution at the five.
That’s where Sexton’s name starts to make sense in trade talks. He’s a high-energy scorer with a competitive edge, but he’s also coming off the bench and carrying a sizable contract. For a Hornets team looking to pivot toward a more balanced roster, moving Sexton could be the first domino to fall.
If Charlotte remains serious about pursuing Sabonis, packaging Sexton with draft capital-possibly a pair of first-round picks-could be a pathway forward. And given how well the Hornets drafted this past summer, the front office might be willing to part with some future assets to land a proven All-Star with multiple years left on his deal.
But Sacramento isn’t the only potential trade partner. The Minnesota Timberwolves have also been floated as a possible destination. Minnesota, like Charlotte, is deep in the guard department, but a player like Sexton-who brings playoff-caliber intensity even without postseason experience-could fit well in a rotation that’s built for a deep run.
That said, the Wolves are unlikely to move either Rudy Gobert or Naz Reid, both of whom are central to their interior defense and rebounding. Unless Charlotte is simply looking to clear Sexton’s contract to make room for a bigger swing at a frontcourt piece, the fit with Minnesota might be more complicated than it appears on paper.
Still, the fact that Sexton’s name is surfacing in trade discussions just 21 games into the season is telling. Over the summer, he was viewed as a potential spark plug for this young Hornets squad-a player who could inject some grit and scoring punch into the second unit. His intensity and drive have always been part of his appeal, especially for a team trying to build a winning culture.
But the NBA is a business, and sometimes fit and finances outweigh potential. Sexton’s contract, role, and the Hornets’ current needs may be pushing this conversation forward faster than expected.
No deal appears imminent, and with the trade deadline still weeks away, there’s plenty of time for things to evolve. But if Charlotte is serious about shoring up its frontcourt and building around LaMelo Ball, moving a guard like Sexton might be the clearest path to doing it.
For now, the Hornets are keeping their options open. Whether it’s a play for Sabonis, a salary-clearing move, or a larger roster retooling, one thing is clear: Charlotte is in the market, and they’re not standing still.