5 teams that should trade for Brook Lopez

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Denver Nuggets at the Barclays Center on February 8, 2016 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Nets defeated the Nuggets 105-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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Apr 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) reacts after a basket in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets seem to be in a tricky spot. They are good enough to make the playoffs every year, but not good enough to compete with a LeBron James-led team, at least for the next couple of seasons. They could either go the slow route, try to make solid picks in the early 20s of the draft and hope a big swing on a player such as Nicolas Batum can strike again. Or, they can go out and add a big name immediately and start to build a core around Brook Lopez as the center.

The Hornets had Al Jefferson last season, but injuries and his lack of defense had the writing on the wall that neither party was interested in an extension after his deal. The Hornets may have had this in mind when they drafted Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky in the lottery during the Jefferson contract. However, neither is quite ready to be a legitimate starter. They also added Roy Hibbert, but he is more of a solid rotational player at best at this point. Adding a player like Lopez, and packaging one of those names with a pick could be an immediate upgrade and something that has the Hornets competing for a top four seed and a potential trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Hornets have the pieces, and with Kemba Walker growing as a player every year, the Hornets should take a swing at a big name and see where it takes them. It is either that or hanging out with a second-tier team for the foreseeable future.

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