What The Collin Sexton Trade Means for Hornets' Backcourt

On Sunday, the Charlotte Hornets traded center Jusuf Nurkic to the Utah Jazz for Collin Sexton and a 2030 second round pick. The details of the trade are not likely to move the NBA needle, but there are very intriguing circumstances that could come from this deal.

The trade works for both teams

The first fan reaction to any trade is to ask, “who won the trade?” Neither team lost this trade. The Jazz adds another solid, but traditional big into their rotation. LaMelo Ball is a star in this league, but at times has shown some scoring inconsistencies over the last couple seasons. Brandon Miller, when healthy, is another very promising young star in the making. Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, and now the addition of Sexton all seem to point to the same thing. Charlotte wants to score. From multiple positions and in volume if possible. With all the Ace Bailey to Utah drama, the Jazz had to do something to appease their new frustrated star, and this move clears a path for the offense to run through Bailey.

Hornets might have quietly created a complete young backcourt

This trade should give Hornets fans reason for optimism. The guard tandem that will lead this team is unchanged. If both are healthy, it’s the Ball and Miller show. However, the drafting of KJ Simpson previously and the trade for Sexton creates a backcourt that doesn’t have any substantive deficiencies. Ball and Miller can be volume scorers on any day. Sexton is an undersized combo guard who is good at almost everything, but not elite at anything. Simpson could fill any pass first need as well as being a creator in space when called upon, as he develops.

CLE Sexton vs UTA Sexton

Stylistically, Sexton has been the same type of player at both Utah and Cleveland. Scores bigger than his frame, but isn’t a traditional pass first PG. With Cleveland, Sexton was a scoring guard who at times struggled with the facilitator aspect of the role. While in Utah Sexton failed to clear the 18+ points per game threshold he had in Cleveland, but his assist numbers were noticeably higher. If Ball or Miller were to miss significant time, Sexton could be called on to be more of a scorer in their absence.

Hornets created a hole by filling a hole

The Hornets have executed an age-old dynamic by making this Sexton trade. Does trading for Sexton improve the Hornets backcourt, scoring ability, specifically perimeter scoring? Yes. However, it does create an issue with the front court. The loss of Nurkic is not that significant, but he was the lone traditional big expected to get significant minutes. Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Moussa Diabate are undersized and only Williams plays like a traditional big. The roster, as currently constituted all but requires the Hornets to play small ball.

Hornets are hopefully not done adjusting personnel

The Sexton trade is good news but leaves more work to be done if they are to be competitive. The Hornets have the 2nd most cap space and no dead cap money on the books. The free agency crop is not as elite as fans might want, but there are real options to consider. The Hornets don’t have much in the way of tradable assets to move, so most of what happens next will likely need to be done through free agency.