NBA Trade Rumors: Hornets, Pistons Seen as ‘Clear’ Partners for Unwanted Contracts

A pair of rebuilding teams are reportedly seen as trade partners to take on other teams’ unwanted contracts this offseason.

Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, teams around the league consider the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets to be possible organizations willing to take on “unwanted salary” for future pieces and draft picks.

“League executives view both Detroit and Charlotte as clear trade partners to absorb unwanted salary in exchange for future assets and draft capital,” Fischer wrote.

For Detroit, finding a new deal with forward Simone Fontecchio is an expected move this offseason. From there, Fischer reports the Pistons will look to add pieces that can help their rebuild.

“The Pistons are expected to use some portion of their $50-plus million in room to find a new agreement with trade deadline acquisition Simone Fontecchio, sources said,” Fischer wrote. “Yet for the league’s worst team, which recently dismissed head coach Monty Williams after previously parting ways with general manager Troy Weaver, Detroit could surely stand to add to its war chest as opposed to overpaying for veteran talent that would marginally improve the Pistons.”

The Hornets, who made a few moves at the trade deadline, have a decision to make with forward Miles Bridges, and Fischer reports Charlotte could move on from him this offseason.

“Charlotte already conducted its business at February’s trade deadline as a clear rebuilding seller,” Fischer wrote. “The Hornets have the impending free agency of forward Miles Bridges to sort through now. And while Bridges could command upward of $30 million, sources said, the Hornets are also believed to be open to parting with Bridges by way of sign-and-trade, should a productive opportunity present itself. Charlotte, sources said, held conversations with Brooklyn about swapping Bridges in a package that would have brought Ben Simmons to the Hornets in February. Sacramento was another team that inquired about Bridges at the deadline, sources said.”

Both the Hornets and Pistons finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings in the 2023-24 season, and it’s clear both are from being contenders. With the right moves this offseason, the two teams could set themselves up well for the future.