Did the Hornets Win the Deadline? | Why Miles Bridges Stayed | Is the Hornets Offense Better?

Jeff Peterson reshaped the Hornets’ roster, sending Mark Williams to LA and landing valuable future assets. We break down what these moves mean for the team’s future, why Miles Bridges is still in Charlotte, and how the Hornets' offense might look moving forward.
The NBA Trade Deadline is in the books, and Jeff Peterson made sure the Charlotte Hornets weren’t just spectators. Mark Williams is headed to the Lakers, and in return, the Hornets secured a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap, Dalton Knecht, and Cam Reddish. But Peterson wasn’t done-Charlotte also brought in Jusuf Nurkic and another first-round pick in a separate deal with Phoenix. So, did the Hornets win the deadline?
Walker and Doug break down why these moves made sense, how they affect Charlotte’s short-term and long-term future, and what it means for players like LaMelo Ball, Nick Smith Jr., and newcomer Dalton Knecht. They also dive into why Miles Bridges wasn't moved and what his future in Charlotte looks like.
Was this the smart play for a franchise that’s been stuck in NBA purgatory? Did Peterson’s deadline decisions maximize Charlotte’s flexibility for future deals? And most importantly-will these moves actually make the Hornets better? We discuss all of that and more on this episode of Locked On Hornets.
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#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets

[@GameTimeQ]

You guys dont know how many fans actually want to keep Miles.

[@afterforever2765]

Lakers fan here. First of all, you guys do great work. Well done! The league needs a competitive Hornets team. I think you got a future starter in Knecht. He is a defensive liability (sort of like what you gave to us!) but he'll obviously improve. Just watch Knecht's shot. is that nice or what? Dude can stroke it. He went through some slumps, but long term I think he will be a consisent shooter. His missed shots usually look good. He has good athleticism. We are bummed to see him go. Now let's talk Lamelo since he is from So Cal. We want him back! I wonder if he will ever be a killer though. I don't see it. What a talent though. We also want your announcer. That dude crushes it every game.

[@Ygkblasian]

Bro if we can turn nick smith Into a some what capable defender I’m sure we can do the same for dalton 🤝

[@kylewinkler1312]

Eric Collins is half the reason I watch basketball tbh. Man is a gem and I’ve spoken to him in person and he’s a gentleman. He even helped me get Dell to sign my hat. Great guys

[@WeSJUSTINWeS]

Yea so ide like to keep Melo and our announcer 😂😂 they both get me hype lol I appreciate the fact that your paying attention to the squad tho.. I’m a die hard hornets fan but lakers are my number 2 lol. So it’s a great feeling to see some love from a lakers fan 😁🫡

[@ahfkajhfk]

If melo could get a nutrition coach and they make a plan to put on muscle and size it would solve everything. Im a nutritionist and im telling you Lamelo is in a constant calorie deficit, which contributes to injuries and well as keeps him from ever being able to put on mass. Look at Jalen Browns transformation. He was just as skinny as melo when he came into the league. His muscle is very much what has made him the star player that he is. Lebron would not be what he is without it either. Melo is too frail to be truly be a killer. You know even steph curry put on muscle mass in his career. You really have to unless you’re as long as kd and as consistent as he was.

[@Theo.Treherne]

2 points. - worse defensively is debatable considering Charles Lee was always mad at them not making the right switches and efforts so if it’s not working 100% who cares. - secondly they stated early in the off season it’s a feeling out year. Do your best and you’ll stay. I think that’s why Miles is still here because he gives 100% a lot

[@Dudethatwaslegitness]

Saying dalton don’t have the physical tools when he’s 1st in split and 2nd in vert is crazy work. He most definitely has the physical tools, just gotta acquire the mental tools necessary.

[@suitedpcktaces4498]

In a minute cuz, we live

[@keeganbecker1254]

lol 😂

[@Raider2Pac]

Who was that again?

[@LON_da_DON]

@@Raider2PacTony Allen

[@ZBirDEveryday]

Moussa Diabate should be the new MyPlayer story for 2k26. You’re on a 2way contract and everyone on your team is either injured or traded.

[@averiskonsept]

Might actually buy an NBA game again 😂

[@andrewnufc9688]

Great podcast recapping the trade deadline and also all trades made 👍🏻, looking forward to see what happens going forward. I’m really pleased Miles stayed, he’s been a leader and has been ballin this season. A 7ft shooter anyone remember the former Bobcat Byron Mullens 😃, he let it rip from anywhere on the floor 🤣

[@Ialoveslr]

Please go live Doug we need your live reaction

[@hunterwilson2147]

Love the deadline trades by the buzz. Was hoping we would draft Knecht. I think he will shine here where he can be more of a playmaker

[@sonicanimemarvel3734]

Miles bridges is sticking around because of what he does when Brandon and lamelo aren’t here bridges picks up the slack and go crazy

[@paulcandau3340]

If you want a center who can shoot, pick Yabusele !!!!!!

[@Raider2Pac]

Great show🔥

[@Icy.-]

I’m from the same town as Caleb and Cody (mocksville) so even as painful as it’s been to be a hornets fan lol, their story was really fun fr

[@averiskonsept]

Their story isn't over. We hope you will stay a sicko but can understand if you choose to end the pain 😂 although I fear there will be more pain for the Suns in the near future 😅

[@Icy.-]

@ nah man I’ve been a fan since before they came lmao. Kemba walker is the reason why I’m a fan and bc I’m from nc ofc lol. I’m unfortunately loyal to the soil

[@bethdxn2236]

What does it say about the Hornets organization which has constantly been trashed around the league yet other teams saw value in the 4 players traded.

[@B3GINNER]

Stop under selling Dalton Knecht. He is a game changer. Unleash him and he'll average 25+ ppg. With Lamelo, Miller, Miles and Knecht.....exciting

[@sakthithanigai5036]

25 is outrageous lmao that’s suggesting he’ll be an all star. I think if he averages like 15-18 and improves his defense enough to where it doesn’t keep him off the floor that’s the best case scenario

[@B3GINNER]

@sakthithanigai5036 outrageous? With enough minutes, he can score 25 in his sleep. I didn't say he will average 25, but he's absolutely capable. He's one of the purest shooters in the league and is athletic as well. The only prevention would be if his shot attempts are low due to Miller and Lamelo taking the majority. I'd say next year he'll average around 20 ppg.

[@afterforever2765]

Lakers fan - 20 ppg next year on the Hornets does not seem to be a reach. If he gets the playing time, he will get close to 20 next 1-2 years. The dude can shoot. Disregard his rookie stats. Just watch the highlights. We are bummed to see him go. Enjoy.

[@DCIphanatic]

Game changer is a reach. Dalton is a good role player but he needs a lot of development to change games with any sort of consistency. Per 100 possessions he's a 22-7-2 player, and he's not got the shooting splits that you'd want for a deadeye (47/36/83 shooting splits) without defense. If you are a starting lineup player and your only feature is shooting you essentially need to be a 50-40-90 guy to move the needle. Keep in mind that the shooting splits Dalton has are with the gravity of Lebron James on the roster who is double teamed often and on a Lakers team that runs screens to abuse this fact to get open wing shooters. He is capable of hitting 20ppg or even 25ppg with added volume but are his advanced stats going to say that helps contribute to wins? I'm not sure

[@ahfkajhfk]

⁠@@DCIphanaticHave you really watched him play. looks you went straight to his stats. most of his shots have been contested, if not down right smothered. Go watch i’ll wait. He single handedly took a game over this season and put up 22pts in the 4th qtr. I believe he scored 38 that game with 9 three’s made. He was the steal of the draft. Melo draws a double team and Miles was drawing a double team too for the last 3 or 4 games, since he’s been the best available player. On the games he starts he’ll easily get 20, which in charlotte he’ll definitely start sooner than you’d expect because no one can stay healthy. We’ve had G league players starting some times the last 2 season. This is his rookie season, obviously his percentages will improve, he’s already shown flashes of greatness though. You’re being a little hyper critical.

[@TheCinemaSimpelton]

Hi, LOH! Not sure if you heard, but the Mark Williams trade was rescinded, meaning Mark's coming back to Charlotte!

[@chirocket4791]

Still have no idea where this team is at right now since Miller and Ball are not playing.

[@KungFuMojo]

Hornets statement on rescinded deal is so effing amateurish. Essentially saying... "The other team pursued him, we didn't want to do it. We love Mark, really we do." LOL!

[@bigmaydon7934]

miles is a goat

[@minmom166]

Love y'all...

[@tonydavis9472]

I think we got better in post defense. And Nurkic at least shoot a 3 or two which opens the floor.

[@tron2thecat]

*me watching this after the trade gets rescinded* 🪦

[@Blackfire-yo6zn]

Charles Lee pretty sure wants to play 5 out, Nerkic will be a gap filler till a shooting big man is available through a trade.

[@lloydfarmer]

Claxton!

[@VaporFox25]

NBA must investigate this trade further and fine the team found to be deceitful by either maintaining the trade and penalizing the Lakers a second rounder or halting the trade and penalizing the Hornets. But Mark just played 30 mins and the Hornets had been clear on all DTD announcements. This is cold feet Lakers and should be not allowed!

[@mikehall737]

Y do y'all have a problem with miles bridges wft id y'all thinking? He is here for good

[@kylewinkler1312]

Doug made it vocal how he doesn’t like bridges character in relation to his history with his baby mama.

[@mrskullman40]

Wonder are the Hornets in the 3rd inning now?

[@lloydfarmer]

This offseason, I'd like to see something like a trade of Nurkic and Green or Okogie (aprox 27mill salary) and draft assests for a Nic Claxton (27.5 salary). Brooklyn was shopping him at the deadline, reportedly for young talent or picks. Start: Ball, Rookie 2/combo, Miller, Bridges, Claxton (Assuming we dont get Flagg or Bailey). Bench: Mann, NSjr, Knecht, Williams/TJS, Diabate Deep bench: KJ, Okogie/Green, Jeffries, etc.... Roll. Go Hornets.

[@lloydfarmer]

So. Ah. Nevermind. I guess.

[@chirocket4791]

Nurk is not a stretch 5. He is below average 3 PT % and takes 2 3s a game.

[@mikehall737]

So we need defense in the interior He is bigger and stronger than Mark was his is the kind of center we need somebody with the size and strength

[@DCIphanatic]

@@mikehall737 Nurkic is not bigger, stronger, or a better defender than Mark

[@ratmoneyg]

When you gonna talk about the hornets vs spurs game?

[@VaporFox25]

They kept the trade with an injured Luka! It's cause they got scared after hearing things that the trade was rescinded. I honestly feel like the Hornets should fight for this one as it's stinks of trade regret, which should not be allowed!

[@12tnfn]

The hornets offense wasn’t that bad, they just don’t play defense at all

[@VaporFox25]

Dammit Doug! You had to go on LockedOnLakers and go on and on about how bad Mark was... Couldn't have just kept your mouth shut, even for a few days until the trade was complete!

[@ZBirDEveryday]

Yal didn’t cover the roster spots on the team. Moussa is on a 2 way deal. If he plays something like 10 more games, we will have to sign him to a full contract and kick someone off the team. I’m thinking it will be Taj or Wong, or Jefferies. I kind of like Jefferies, but we are short on PGs and Centers, so he might be out.

[@mikehall737]

We got the cap room to sing musa

[@ZBirDEveryday]

@ cap room yes. But we have to clear a roster spot, the way I understand it.

[@DCIphanatic]

No, we did not win the deadline. We probably got worse to be honest. I want to be excited about next years draft but the front office has not proved that they know what they're doing at all with drafting, team management, or development in a meaningful way. Hopefully I get proven wrong but it has been almost 25 years now that I've been a fan and they have been disappointing me. I haven't been able to enjoy my favorite team for a majority of my life now

[@EDubbz17]

Aye at least he can shoot. A little bit.

[@samuelparker7280]

Got serious fear that Mark Williams will make us regret this. Let's hope Dalton is the real deal

[@B3GINNER]

Dalton will be a fan favorite. He is a walking bucket.

[@d23pp409]

He's going to look better playing with Luka and Lebron. We should absolutely expect that. This was the best move for both Mark and the Hornets.

[@mikehall737]

He is

[@afterforever2765]

Lakers fan. You are so lucky to get Knecht. Dude can shoot it. Don't pay attention to his rookie stats. Watch the shooting form and skills. Give it 1- 2 years. Future starter.

[@samuelparker7280]

@@afterforever2765 I can definitely tell you as a hornets fan mark when healthy could be one of the best centers in the league. But he struggles mightily to stay healthy. I'm nervous in case his health issues are behind him. Because if so you guys got a steal for sure

[@mikehall737]

We definitely did not get worse on yhr defensive end

[@andreyfreiretonin686]

I just dont get it, u guys asking for rebuild and when we got a 20 YEARS OLD man that can score and can be important, u guys want to trade him. Why u guys r trying to trade NSJ?

[@mikehall737]

How you say we had defensive players known fir defense but they habe not played it? You just contradicted yourself, we did get beter defensively

[@VaporFox25]

You owe the fans an apology for being petty on the LoL show and fueling concern in the franchise. You said you were gaining GM attention well this is what happens!

[@nickdavis6035]

I need yall to say something

[@-..-..-..-..-..-..-..-..-..]

Cody Martin, Caleb Martin and Devontae Graham are gone. Now we can get the bs out of the locker room. That's why Miles stayed. Reminds melo that it was always a good team. Still a good team after those three ran everyone out. Worthless players who cared about their 2nd round careers more than the game or the team.

[@CRAIGNV]

WILLAMS TRADE CANCELED

[@Dudethatwaslegitness]

Wow you guys are broken

[@rfkemp]

I too believe in Cam Reddish and wish he could shine in Charlotte.

[@sneddsnedd]

Is it just me or does the spurs coach look high as shit lol he had too many Bongs before the match lol