The Charlotte Hornets have a massive opening to fix their roster. The Oklahoma City Thunder just lost a seven-game war to the San Antonio Spurs. This heartbreak creates a perfect window for Charlotte to steal two key players. The Hornets need to target center Isaiah Hartenstein and guard Luguentz Dort immediately. These moves would solve the team’s biggest problems right now.
The Perfect Center Target
Isaiah Hartenstein is available because the Thunder face a tough financial crunch. Per Swarm and Sting, OKC may decline his $28.5 million team option next season. They have big salaries for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams kicking in. This forces a choice, and Hartenstein becomes the obvious squeeze point. The Hornets lack size, and Hartenstein is seven feet tall with great passing skills. He proved he can handle elite bigs like Victor Wembanyama.
In Game 5 against the Spurs, Hartenstein held Wembanyama to a 4-for-15 shooting night. That physicality is exactly what Charlotte needs in the paint. Coach Jeff Peterson already hinted at this plan during an April exit interview. He stated, “Then at some point, you go get an Isaiah Hartenstein or Tobias Harris.” This shows the front office sees him as a realistic goal. The Hornets must act before another team snipes him away.
The Undervalued Defender
Luguentz Dort might seem like a risky pick after a rough postseason. But smart teams find value when others look away. Dort brings a defensive intensity that the Hornets desperately lack in the backcourt. The Thunder’s loss means he could be a free agent or a trade chip. Charlotte needs a player who can guard the league’s best wings. Dort fits that role perfectly without breaking the bank.
Adding Dort would give the Hornets a two-way player who fits their young core. He complements the speed of players like LaMelo Ball. While other teams might pass on him due to his playoff struggles, the Hornets see the upside. He brings a toughness that this roster has missed all season. A team that wants to win in the East needs that grit.
A Window of Opportunity
The timing is critical for the Hornets to make these moves. OKC is looking to reset their roster after the Spurs eliminated them. The Spurs are now the league’s next young dynasty with Wembanyama leading the way. Charlotte hopes to build a similar version in the East. Grabbing Hartenstein and Dort would check every box the current roster lacks. They need toughness, size, and playoff-tested reliability.
This is the moment for the Hornets to stop waiting and start hunting. The Thunder’s collapse is the gift the Hornets have been waiting for. If they hesitate, they will watch from the sidelines while other teams improve. The front office must be bold and aggressive this summer. The path to contention runs through Oklahoma City’s exit door.
Do you think the Hornets should trade for Hartenstein and Dort, or is it too risky? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
