The Hornets' treasure trove of assets can be cashed in before next year's trade deadline in a move that puts them over the top. The bevy of first-round picks Jeff Peterson has acquired and retained can be used to make a home run-style swing to add to Charlotte's core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and whomever they draft in the 2025 lottery.

Wednesday night’s 112-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks was the Hornets’ final game before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline.

It all started late Wednesday night when the Hornets traded Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers ... Tune in to The Point After life at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 for a recap of the Hornets' NBA trade deadline moves.

The Charlotte Hornets made a deal in the wee hours Thursday morning, trading away center Mark Williams to the L.A. Lakers. In return, the Hornets received Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and a future No. 1 draft pick.

Dalton Knecht was picked No. 17 by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee, where he was the SEC Player of the Year.

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick and a swap of 2030 first-round picks,