As the NBA trade deadline kicked into high gear Thursday, there was initially an anticlimactic feel to it for the Charlotte Hornets’ faithful.
Most observers knew the Hornets needed a jolt from a meaningful addition to correct one of the roster’s main flaws — the lack of an inside presence. Remember, this was still the very same team that was floundering on a six-game losing skid and in a tailspin, tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings. They had tangible playoff expectations, which were dangling well within reach just weeks ago when they were a fingernail away from sixth place.