The Charlotte Hornets are staying active at the trade deadline, making another move to reshape their backcourt and build toward a more flexible, future-focused roster. The latest deal sends veteran guard Tyus Jones to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Malaki Branham - a young guard still trying to find his footing in the league.
Let’s break it down.
Tyus Jones Heads to Dallas
Jones, a steady hand at point guard with a reputation for taking care of the basketball and running an offense, now joins a Mavericks squad that had reportedly been eyeing him since last offseason. Dallas missed out on him in free agency when he signed with the Orlando Magic, but they finally land their guy - and at a time when they could use more backcourt depth and stability behind Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
The Mavs are betting on Jones’ ability to provide reliable minutes, especially when their stars rest or miss time. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient, smart, and rarely turns the ball over - the kind of player coaches trust late in games and in playoff rotations.
For Jones, this move offers a clearer path to meaningful playing time. He never quite settled in with Orlando and was just acquired by Charlotte earlier this week in a deal that sent two second-round picks and cash to the Magic. Now, he heads to a playoff-contending team that has a defined role for him.
Charlotte Adds Malaki Branham
On the other side of the deal, the Hornets bring in Malaki Branham, a 2022 first-round pick who’s still looking to carve out a consistent role in the league. Drafted 20th overall by the Spurs, Branham showed flashes of scoring potential early in his career but saw his minutes dwindle in San Antonio before being moved to Washington.
In 28 games with the Wizards this season, Branham averaged 4.6 points per game. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but this is a low-risk, high-upside move for Charlotte. At just 22 years old, Branham still has time to develop, and the Hornets are clearly in the business of collecting young talent and seeing what sticks.
The trade also creates a $7 million trade exception for Charlotte - a valuable asset that could come in handy either before the deadline or in the offseason.
A Busy Deadline for the Hornets
This move is just the latest in a flurry of activity from Charlotte’s front office. Earlier, the Hornets pulled off a notable deal with the Bulls, sending Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks to Chicago in exchange for Coby White and Mike Conley. Conley was waived shortly after the trade, signaling that Charlotte was more interested in White’s upside and perhaps the financial flexibility created by moving on from Conley’s contract.
Dieng, who came over from Oklahoma City in a separate deal for Mason Plumlee and a second-round pick, has been part of Charlotte’s recent youth movement. Meanwhile, veteran guard Pat Connaughton was waived just yesterday, further clearing the deck for the Hornets to evaluate younger players and keep their options open.
What’s Next?
Hornets GM Jeff Peterson still has one open roster spot to work with, and there’s a chance Charlotte isn’t done dealing. Whether it’s swinging one more trade before the deadline or dipping into the buyout market, the Hornets have room to maneuver.
One name to keep an eye on: PJ Hall. The two-way center could be in line for a standard contract if the team wants to shore up its frontcourt depth - right now, Charlotte only has two centers on standard deals.
Final Take
This isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s a smart, strategic move for both teams. Dallas gets a reliable veteran who fits their system, while Charlotte continues to stockpile young talent and maintain financial flexibility. In a season where the Hornets are clearly thinking long-term, this deal fits the plan - and it might just give Branham the fresh start he needs to unlock his potential.