The Charlotte Hornets completed a deal that included sending guard Gary Neal to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guards Mo Williams and Troy Daniels. With the NBA trade deadline around the corner, will Charlotte next seek to trade guard Lance Stephenson to the Brooklyn Nets?
The Hornets announced on Tuesday a trade had been completed with the Timberwolves, who've been expected to be active ahead of the Feb. 19 deadline. The deal, according to the Hornets' website, sent Neal and Miami's 2019 second-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for Williams, Daniels and cash considerations. Charlotte subsequently terminated Elliot Williams's 10-day contract to retain a 15-player roster.
"We are excited to be adding two quality players to our organization," Hornets general manager Rich Cho told the team website Tuesday. "Mo Williams is a proven NBA player who gives us additional versatility and depth in the backcourt, both while Kemba Walker is out and after Kemba returns. Troy Daniels is an outstanding shooter who we are already familiar with from having had him in our training camp last season."
Next on Charlotte's agenda could be Stephenson, whom the team reportedly has been trying to trade for most of the season. The latest trade report, which came from Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, indicated Brooklyn and Charlotte had resumed talks.
"The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets have restarted trade discussions, this time focused on guard Joe Johnson, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote Jan. 25. "The Hornets and Nets are discussing a larger package that would likely include guards Lance Stephenson and Gerald Henderson and forward Marvin Williams, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
Charlotte still appears willing to trade Stephenson, but only for the right offer. His trade value isn't great at the moment because of his $9 million contract for next season and his on-court issues - chemistry problems and decreased production, along with a recent groin injury.
Teams linked to Stephenson in the past include the Nets and his previous team, the Indiana Pacers.
