First, the Charlotte Hornets traded away Jalen McDaniels in a three-team trade with the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers. Now, they've agreed to send veteran big man Mason Plumlee to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Reggie Jackson according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Plumlee is on the verge of having a career year posting 12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 66% from the floor and a much improved 60% from the free throw line. A big part of his improvements come from his newly refound confidence at the line, according to Hornets head coach Steve Clifford.
“I think one of the things, which not many people can do, is his confidence in making free throws. He has such good instincts, he’s faking and creating contact versus the film I watched last year, he wasn’t going to contact as much. He was trying to score around the defense or kick it out. He makes a lot of really good passes from the interior out, but in this stretch, he’s taking the ball hard to the basket, and he feels good about his free throw shooting. To be able to do what he’s done, I’m not sure many people can do that. He’s a terrific worker. He was in here all summer doing it, so he’s got confidence.”
This move now opens the door for 2022 first-round draft pick Mark Williams, who has been very impressive lately, to slide into the starting lineup. In 25 games this season, Williams is averaging 7.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
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