Hornets may want Russell Westbrook more if LaMelo Ball isn’t available

Per Marc Stein of The New York Times, Charlotte’s interest in trading for Westbrook could grow if Ball isn’t available to draft at No. 3.

Charlotte’s interest in trading with the Houston Rockets for disgruntled All-Star guard Russell Westbrook might rise significantly if they aren’t able to select rookie guard LaMelo Ball early in Wednesday’s draft.

Here’s what Marc Stein of The New York Times says in his latest newsletter, which was distributed on Tuesday afternoon:

In the Hornets’ case, there is a belief in some corners of the league that their appetite for a Westbrook trade increases significantly if Charlotte does not land LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 overall pick in Wednesday’s draft. Michael Jordan, Charlotte’s owner, is a known Westbrook admirer. Should the playmaking Ball be drafted before the Hornets’ turn at No. 3, according to the theory, there is a much stronger case to be made for trading for Westbrook in spite of the cost and attendant risk.

Minnesota and Golden State are the two teams slotted to pick in front of Charlotte in the draft. Neither seems to have finalized its choice.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Westbrook “has a desire to return to his prior floor-general role” from earlier seasons in Oklahoma City. That could make a destination such as Charlotte realistic, since there isn’t another All-Star guard in place (unlike Houston with James Harden).

Here’s what Charania said about the situation late last week:

Sources tell me the Hornets have emerged as a potential suitor for Westbrook. There have been a couple other teams mentioned as a possibility for the one-time league MVP. But in Charlotte, there are movable veteran contracts, as well as the Jordan Brand connection for Westbrook [with Charlotte owner Michael Jordan].

Based on the NBA’s rules for salary matching in trades, Houston could take back approximately $50 million at the high end of a transaction, should they trade Westbrook (who will make over $41 million next season). Those salaries could all come from one team, or it could be spread out, if the trade was expanded to include a third or fourth team.

Charlotte could also absorb part of Westbrook’s large contract into its available cap space, if the Rockets wanted to generate a large traded player exception (TPE) to potentially use elsewhere.

If it was just a two-team deal involving the Rockets and Hornets (player salaries), potential assets in a transaction could include:

Terry Rozier, guard ($18.4 million per year, for two more seasons)
Nicolas Batum, forward ($27.1 million per year, for one season)
Cody Zeller, center ($15.4 million per year, for one season)
Malik Monk, guard ($5.3 million per year, for one season)

The Hornets will also have whatever rookie they select at No. 3 in Wednesday’s draft, but it’s unclear if they would move that type of premium asset for Westbrook — who turned 32 years old last Thursday.

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