All players on the starting five of the Charlotte Hornets bagged points in double digits on Tuesday night. Yet, they fell short of grabbing a win against the Milwaukee Bucks, losing 115-124 in the end. This has arguably been the story for the Hornets this season. They show sparks of great team play, but consistency and follow-through seem to be missing. Additionally, a series of injuries to their stars have hampered their season.?Their season is more or less done; hence the focus for Michael Jordan, the team owner, and the Hornets front office is now to try and form a balanced team for the coming season.
Notably, they have the fourth-worst record in the NBA with 16 wins and 37 losses and sit in 14th place on the Eastern Conference table.
Earlier in the day, a report emerged that Jordan’s Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers have established a line of contact. According to Hoops Wire, the trade cards for Lakers stars Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley reportedly remain on the table. Hence, the Lakers’ front office has supposedly reached out to the Hornets.
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The hope for the Lakers is to trade Westbrook and Beverley, and “acquire a rotation caliber player” from the Hornets. On the other hand, The Hornets have been rumored to have laid out Kelly Oubre Jr‘s and Terry Rozier’s cards on the table.
Update on Michael Jordan and the Lakers leaves fans in a split
With these reports making the rounds, fans rushed to Twitter. A scroll through Twitter indicated that fans were divided by this news. Some encouraged Jordan to move fast with this trade, while others voiced they wanted Westbrook and Beverley to stay. Fans wrote that they didn’t want false hope because the situation felt familiar. They predicted that the next trade update would claim Rob Pelinka is deliberating with the trade moves. Fans also wrote that making a deal with the Hornets would be a mistake.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
Pull the trigger, MJ.
— Dee (@DWash_) February 1, 2023
If anyone gone bite it’s Mike https://t.co/czhbs4HopD
— Baby Yeshu’a (July 14th) (@WHOISSCRAP) February 2, 2023
This a mistake man🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️ the hornets out of everybody too?! https://t.co/3DQfa6zeaU
— . (@IloveMikes__) February 1, 2023
I think this is a mistake by the #Lakeshow. Russ has played really well as the 6th man and Beverley has proven himself as a playoff defensive force. https://t.co/dDIVgYZkIZ
— Chase Callahan (@C_hase) February 2, 2023
Please God https://t.co/viqvvRYiTL
— Choooiiiyoooiiiyoooiiiyoooiiinng (@Rob__5) February 2, 2023
A lakers move that never happens is reported every 2-3 business days followed by a “Rob pelinka is still deliberating on whether to make a move” report https://t.co/KRZe1KQcTj
— yossy.o (@yossyol) February 1, 2023
Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley’s season so far
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Russell Westbrook had a slow start to the season and fans wanted him out immediately. However, with time his season has seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Overall this season, he is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game so far. He has come in clutch and led the team to victory while coming off the bench.
On the other hand, Patrick Beverley has been the vocal force on the team. He has helped them manage the momentum and worked as a motivating factor. This season his stats read an average of 6.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game so far.
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Watch This Story:?Will Lakers Trade Russell Westbrook Before NBA Trade Deadline?
With these contributions, do you think a Westbrook and Beverley trade is the right move for the Lakers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.