The Charlotte Hornets have been mentioned by league insiders as a franchise to watch with potential interest in trading for Russell Westbrook, according to Marc Stein of Substack.
Any team trading for Westbrook would have to send out approximately $38 million in salary to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Hornets have several players on longer term contracts that they may prefer to unload for a more manageable cap such as Terry Rozier on a four-year, $97 million extension and Gordon Hayward with two years remaining on his four-year, $120 million deal. The Hornets also have Kelly Oubre on an eight-figure deal.
Charlotte will work to sign Miles Bridges to a new contract in restricted free agency this offseason.
Michael Jordan is long believed to be a Westbrook admirer.