Hornets add more ammunition for blockbuster deal

The list of destinations for NBA superstars has rarely included the Charlotte Hornets. After their best season in a decade, Hornets management is making moves like they're ready to join that list.

A 44-win season wasn't enough for the Hornets, who traded starters LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this summer. Along the way, they've added draft picks and trade exceptions to make them a legitimate threat to add a star.

Charlotte Hornets are stocked with trade exceptions

The Hornets made a minor talent swap Tuesday, sending Dorian Finney-Smith to the Atlanta Hawks for guards Ryan Nembhard and Buddy Hield. Sharpshooting Hield could fit in with the Hornets' three-point-heavy offensive approach and Nembhard is a promising young guard, though the Hornets need to cut three of their 18 players on NBA contracts before the season.

The real prize may have been the other elements the trade brought. Charlotte got cash from the Hawks, salary savings that put them $23.5M below the luxury-tax line and a $4.5M trade exception. For keeping Finney-Smith on the books for a few months after acquiring him from the Houston Rockets, the Hornets collected three second-round picks.

That's just one of many trade exceptions the Hornets have picked up this season, including:

• $40.8M from the Ball trade
• $8.2M from trading Collin Sexton
• $7M from trading Tyus Jones
• $2.3M from trading Mason Plumlee

The Ball exception is the largest in NBA history, meaning the Hornets could absorb $41M in salary without sending any back in a trade. The Sexton, Jones and Plumlee exceptions expire at the trade deadline, but the Ball and Finney-Smith exceptions are good through the start of next summer.

Charlotte Hornets could make a blockbuster deal

The Hornets reached the play-in tournament and won a game, but management clearly wasn't satisfied with almost making the playoffs. Ball, who was eligible for a big contract extension, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, bringing back a first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and two second-rounders. Trading Bridges to the Phoenix Suns brought back a 2033 first.

It gives the Hornets a unique opportunity to quickly reload the team around star rookie Kon Knueppel and former No. 2 pick Brandon Miller. While Miller is eligible for a big rookie extension, that deal wouldn't kick in until 2027-28. The Hornets could have four extra first-round picks and as many as 14 extra seconds to use in a trade.

Who could they target? Possible De'Aaron Fox, who is on a long-term deal and in a crowded San Antonio Spurs backcourt with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Trey Murphy III could be available if the New Orleans Pelicans struggle, while the Milwaukee Bucks are likely already making calls about dealing center Myles Turner.

The Hornets' ability to send back draft picks and provide massive salary relief for the trading teams could make them a very appealing trade partner, without wrecking their own salary structure. They've got plenty of time to wait for the right deal, but don't be surprised if, for the first time ever, the Hornets become an All-Star destination.