Hornets and Raptors 3-for-1 plan, Barrett may join forces with Ball to enhance Charlotte s overall competitiveness

According to Sidant Gupta, a contributor to US sports media F/W. The Hornets have been one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference. Ranked 14th in the Eastern Conference last season, and combined with a poor reputation among the league players, the Hornets have very limited prospects. Still, the team has one of the league's most talented point guards Ball. Ball, 23, is the best player in Charlotte. He distinguished himself from the rest of the team after finishing a season with 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Unfortunately, the record was shortened after the season ended with an injury at the end of March.

While the Hornets have some talented players in their roster, it is obvious that Ball needs more support to transform Charlotte into a competitive team. To facilitate this, we propose a trading plan featuring the Raptors.

Hornets get: Barrett

Raptors get: Green, Gway, 2026 first round swap draft picks

This trade idea is mainly to meet Charlotte's urgent need for a second star. But in the process, the deal also helped the Raptors improve in some ways. The acquisition of Barrett could have a significant impact on the Hornets’ current roster. Given that he is mentioned in several trade rumors this offseason this year, the possibility of him leaving Toronto is growing. Barrett is a typical left-handed who can create shots for himself and teammates. Last season with the Raptors, the 25-year-old averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game as their secondary scoring option. He is also a reliable offensive contributor, shooting 46.8% from the field. While his outside shooting ability still has some room for improvement, he can make a huge difference.

partnered with Ball, which has great potential to make the most of the Hornets' squad. The team has strong offensive threats like Bridges and Miller, and having two organizational cores gives Charlotte some flexibility. The 25-year-old defender will also relegate Sexton to the bench, but that may not be a negative factor. Sexton's ability as a two-way player and his leadership could greatly push the second team. This will help the Hornets maintain stability when Ball leaves the field.

While the Hornets gained roster flexibility from this deal, the Raptors added much-needed depth. After a disappointing season last season, Toronto is looking to make key improvements. In this regard, the addition of Green, Gway and a first-round pick may be a step in the right direction. Adding Green and Williams to Toronto’s roster may not disrupt existing starting rotations. While the roster may remain the same, the bench will have two skilled frontcourt players significantly improved. Last season, Green averaged 7.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, shooting 42.8% from the field and 39.5% from outside the three-point line. His serious defensive efforts and outside shooting make him a reliable choice on the bench.

At the same time, Williams has shown more abilities as a two-way player. Although he is known primarily for his defensive contributions, he has proven himself useful on the offensive end. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.5% from three-pointers. Although the Raptors already have a solid rotation, the addition of two forwards will make their roster deeper. Unfortunately, Williams's joining may be delayed. As the striker suffered a season-reimbursed injury in December last year, he is expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 regular season.