Hornets fielding more calls on PJ Washington than any other player

The Charlotte Hornets are sure to try to do something before Thursday’s trade deadline. What that something is, however, is anyone’s guess.

Multiple reports have said that Charlotte has three untouchables on the roster — point guard LaMelo Ball, rookie forward Brandon Miller and perhaps center Mark Williams. Other than that, it’s fair game. Supposedly, anyway.

That means both small forward Miles Bridges and big man P.J. Washington are available. Bridges is well-liked by opposing teams, but no one is drawing as much interest as Washington, per Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.

“Multiple teams have inquired about Washington’s availability and the Hornets are fielding more calls on him than any other player, per league sources, even though they aren’t necessarily actively shopping him,” Boone wrote. “Washington, like (center/forward Nick Richards), has an economical contract that’s attractive to others, making him a hot commodity because any team that acquires Washington would have the versatile big man locked up for the next two seasons.”

The Hornets have been in trade discussions with everyone from the Los Angeles Lakers to Washington Wizards to Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, sources told Hoops Wire. Bridges is said to be among the players coveted by the Suns at the deadline, though it’s doubtful the Suns have the assets to land him. Meanwhile, Boston is looking for bench help, and that’s where Washington might come in.

“As for Bridges, who’s already told the Observer he doesn’t want to go anywhere else and prefers to stay with the Hornets, a league source indicated at least three teams are interested in potentially acquiring the 25-year-old,” Boone wrote. “But given he can choose his next preferred destination since he possesses a no-trade clause as part of the one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer, Bridges’ situation is the more dicey because Charlotte isn’t in complete control of the combo forward’s future.”