NBA Trade Buzz: Hornets Weigh Options, Timberwolves Eye Sexton, and Pelicans Holding Steady
As the trade deadline inches closer, teams across the league are starting to show their cards - some more than others. The Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, and Atlanta Hawks are all navigating different paths, but each is quietly shaping the trade market in its own way.
Hornets: Listening, Not Waving the White Flag
The Hornets are open for business - but don’t mistake that for a fire sale.
Charlotte is reportedly taking calls and gauging the market, but the front office isn’t interested in tanking the rest of the season. Their goal?
A shot at the play-in tournament. That means veterans won’t be offloaded just for the sake of clearing cap space.
That said, Collin Sexton is emerging as a logical trade chip. His expiring $19 million contract gives Charlotte flexibility, and his on-court production still holds value for teams needing a scoring guard without the long-term financial commitment. He’s the kind of player who can help a contender now without tying up future cap sheets.
One team doing its homework? The Minnesota Timberwolves.
They’ve been surveying the point guard market, and Sexton’s name has come up in internal discussions. Minnesota’s interest isn’t surprising - they’re in the thick of the Western Conference race and could use another ball-handler to stabilize the second unit or provide insurance if injuries strike.
But the Wolves have drawn a line in the sand: Jaden McDaniels isn’t on the table. That’s a non-starter for Minnesota, according to multiple sources. Still, rival executives believe the Timberwolves could be one of the more aggressive teams in the West as the deadline approaches.
With teams like Oklahoma City, Denver, Houston, and San Antonio expected to sit relatively quiet this trade season, the Wolves - and possibly the Lakers - could end up being the most active buyers among the West’s top six.
Pelicans: Holding Onto Their Core Wings
If you’re hoping for a blockbuster deal out of New Orleans involving one of their prized young wings, don’t hold your breath.
Both Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are considered near untouchable as the Pelicans map out their future. Rival teams have asked, but the answer has been consistent: not available.
Instead, the more realistic trade candidates in New Orleans are guards Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, and Jordan Poole, along with forward Saddiq Bey. Scouts view Alvarado as the most likely to be moved, followed by Hawkins and Poole, with Bey rounding out the list.
New Orleans is in a unique spot - talented enough to compete now, but young enough to keep building. That’s why they’re being selective. Any move they make will be about fit and flexibility, not just shaking things up.
Hawks: Exploring, But No Big Swings Yet
The Atlanta Hawks have kicked the tires on some big names - including Anthony Davis - but there’s no real traction there, and league insiders aren’t expecting anything major to materialize on that front.
What’s more realistic is Atlanta targeting smaller-salary upgrades, especially if they decide to build a package around Kristaps Porzingis’ expiring contract. That gives them some room to maneuver without taking on long-term risk.
One hypothetical floated in league circles involved a Chicago Bulls package centered around Nikola Vucevic and Coby White. To be clear, that’s not an active negotiation - just an illustrative example of the kind of structure Atlanta might consider.
The Hawks are still in evaluation mode, but if they move, it’ll likely be a calculated play for roster balance rather than a headline-grabbing splash.
The Bigger Picture
With several contenders opting for patience this season, the trade market could hinge on a few key players and a handful of motivated teams. The Hornets are trying to thread the needle between competing and reshaping, the Timberwolves are sniffing around for the right addition, and the Pelicans are focused on keeping their core intact.
As for the Hawks, they’re lurking - not quite ready to go all-in, but not standing still either.
The trade deadline is coming. The phones are ringing. And while the blockbusters might be few, the ripple effects of even the smaller deals could shape the playoff picture in a big way.