The Charlotte Hornets acquired several assets in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that sent Gordon Hayward to the NBA. Charlotte won the trade by a large margin, even though none of the players they acquired turned out to be more than solid role players. Hayward ended up playing a very limited role with the Thunder and officially retired this summer.
The Hornets received Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Misic and two second-round picks in exchange for a player who decided to retire just a few months after the trade was completed. The biggest gainer from the trade was arguably former first-round pick Tre Mann. In 28 games with the Hornets, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 45% from the field and 36% from three-point range.
According to Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes, Mann is the Hornets' biggest X-factor heading into the 2024-25 season.
“Late-season samples can be misleading, and the Oklahoma City Thunder's depth wasn't the only factor that kept Mann from getting playing time with his previous team, but after moving to Charlotte, the combo guard looked like a true rotation option.”
“Mann scored in double figures 21 times last season, 18 of which came with the Hornets. With his dexterity on the ball and showing off playmaking talent for the first time in his career, Mann could be the up-and-comer that a rebuilding team like the Hornets desperately needs. With his 6-foot-5 frame and a high level of poise with and without the ball, Mann could be a good fit alongside Charlotte's top young players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.”
“There were some signs that Mann, not known as a defender, could also contribute on the other side of the defense. Though undersized and inexperienced, the 2021 first-round draft pick was an aggressive and disruptive player last year for Charlotte, ranking in the 91st percentile at his position in steal rate. If he can replicate or even improve on that production, Mann would give the Hornets an intriguing third guard position with even more potential.”
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