NBA Rumors: Could Hornets trade ninth-overall pick for Magic’s Arron Afflalo?
The Charlotte Hornets (then-Bobcats) turned things around during the 2013-2014 season. They went from a 21-61 season in 2012-2013 to 43-39 in 2013-2014, mostly in thanks to the addition of big man Al Jefferson and head coach Steve Clifford as well as the development of point guard Kemba Walker.
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The Hornets obviously want to continue to improve and showed that just before the NBA’s trade deadline when they attempted to make a move for Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol and wound up trading for Milwaukee Bucks’ guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour, sending guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien to the Bucks in return.
This offseason, the team will likely try to make a big splash again. They could again target Gasol, who will be an unrestricted free agent or make a run at Detroit Pistons’ power forward Greg Monroe, who will be a restricted free agent. Another player that Hornets could reportedly be interested in is Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo.
Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors was asked if the Hornets would trade the ninth-overall pick for Afflalo.
"The Hornets seem to be planning an aggressive summer, so while I never really think any pick in particular is likely to be traded this far out from the draft, I could definitely see Charlotte going for a swap like you’re thinking about. I’m not sure Afflalo for No. 9 would work from Orlando’s perspective, though, since the Magic seem to have more than their share of developing players already."
Afflalo had the best season of his career this year, averaging 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.