Although the Hornets have yet to show any enthusiasm about giving up the No. 14 or No. 18 pick in this year’s draft as part of a package for Kings center Domantas Sabonis, there are still rumblings about the possibility of Charlotte surrendering one of those picks to upgrade at center, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), echoing reporting from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.
Another big man on the Hornets’ radar, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, is Nets center Nic Claxton. While Charlotte could make a compelling offer for Claxton using expiring salary and draft assets, Scotto notes that Brooklyn has shown interest in the past in Coby White, an unrestricted free agent whom Charlotte hopes to re-sign this offseason.
If the Nets still like White, they have the cap room to try to sign him outright, Scotto acknowledges, but he wonders if a sign-and-trade deal that sends White to Brooklyn as part of a package for Claxton might be something the two teams consider, since it would allow the Nets to use their cap room on other players. Current Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson previously worked under Sean Marks in Brooklyn’s front office, Scotto points out, so the two executives are very familiar with one another.
Here are a few more NBA notes and rumors from Scotto:
- People around the NBA strongly believe that Austin Reaves will remain with the Lakers if they offer him a deal close to his maximum, but if they low-ball him, he’s expected to consider other suitors, Scotto writes. Brooklyn has been identified as a team that may be willing to give Reaves the max.
- Despite a new round of trade rumors involving Trae Young, the veteran point guard is excited about getting a fresh start in Washington and hopes to stick with the Wizards for “a long time,” a league source tells HoopsHype. As Scotto writes, the expectation in league circles remains that Young will sign a multiyear deal of some sort with the Wizards this offseason.
- The Bulls, one of a small handful of teams projected to have cap space this summer, will be open to using their room to absorb unwanted contracts that come attached to draft compensation, per Scotto.
- DJ Bakker, the head coach of the Hornets‘ G League affiliate, is a candidate to join Sean Sweeney‘s staff as a Magic assistant, according to Scotto, who suggests that current Charlotte assistant Zach Peterson would be the frontrunner to coach the Greensboro Swarm if Bakker leaves the organization. Bakker was the runner-up for the G League’s Coach of the Year award in 2025/26.
