The Charlotte Hornets feel like they are on the precipice of something big, a move towards being a true contender in the Eastern Conference. While they have been scoping out Domantas Sabonis, they should also be taking a look at the Sacramento Kings' Zach LaVine. His shot could lift them up.
Anyone who has been a fan of the Hornets understands exactly what Kings' fans have been going through. Both teams have experienced long periods of irrelevance, largely due to being mismanaged small market teams. Yet, the Hornets are also an example of how rebuilds can work out.
Over the past few seasons, the Hornets have put together a crew of young guns, comparable to what the Kings are trying to do. Some savvy drafting, particularly in 2025, have created a strong youthful core. LaMelo Ball finally being healthy enough to play consistently hasn't hurt the situation, either.
Since 2002, the Hornets have only made the playoffs three times and lost in the first round in every appearance. This post-season showed signs of life as Charlotte made the Play-In Tournament, and ran a tough campaign to make the playoffs. What they were missing was a veteran shooter.
LaVine enters the Kings' conversation with the Hornets
As it stands right now, the rumors are that Charlotte is interested in acquiring Domantas Sabonis. That makes sense as his rebounding and scoring would accent what the Hornets are building perfectly. Still, LaVine would also be a good addition to a roster that needs more scoring.
When used properly, LaVine is an elite three-level scorer who can launch a three or drop a burst of speed blow right by defenders. If a team actually takes the time to insert him in their offensive scheme correctly, LaVine can be incredibly useful in almost every game situation on the court.
The scouting report on LaVine also points out that he's not much on defense, and that's fair. He'll get back and put a body on someone, which is good. And he has all the physical tools to be a gifted defender. What he has always lacked on defense is intensity and focus. It's all about his mindset.
Fortunately, the Hornets don't seem to care about building a stronger defensive presence. If they did, they sure wouldn't be looking at trading for Sabonis in the first place. The Lithuanian American big man might be their first choice, but it doesn't hurt to keep LaVine's name in the mix, too.
