Don't Burn Bridges

ESPN.com – NBA Front Office Files

By Almondoh Joi | Senior Insider Analyst

Published: July 25th, 2025

The Purge Continues: Hornets Pull Off Two More Trades, Load Up on Youth and Picks

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets are not just rebuilding — they’re gutting the foundation and laying a brand-new blueprint.

On July 24th, in what’s being dubbed “The Second Culling”, the Hornets completed two more major trades, shipping out four veterans in exchange for more youth, more flexibility, and more future picks.

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Trade 1: Sexton and Sion James to Suns for Nick Richards

📦 Charlotte Hornets receive:

• Nick Richards (from Phoenix)

📦 Phoenix Suns receive:

• Collin Sexton

• Sion James

Analysis:

This trade sees the return of a familiar face as Nick Richards, once a steady interior presence in Buzz City, rejoins the Hornets. Richards had been shipped to Phoenix earlier in the offseason as part of a deal involving Nikola Topić, but the Hornets clearly wanted him back.

“Nick knows the system, knows the staff, and can still anchor a bench unit,” said one Hornets assistant. “Plus, his contract is team-friendly.”

The Suns, meanwhile, get a microwave scorer in Sexton and a versatile defender in Sion James, who may crack their rotation as a glue guy off the bench.

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Trade 2: Tre Mann & Mason Plumlee to Nets for Ziaire Williams, Day’Ron Sharpe, Picks

📦 Charlotte Hornets receive:

• Ziaire Williams

• Day’Ron Sharpe

• 2027 1st-round pick (via Brooklyn)

• 2027 first-round swap rights

📦 Brooklyn Nets receive:

• Tre Mann

• Mason Plumlee

Analysis:

This trade screams long-term planning.

The Hornets move Tre Mann, whom they had just re-signed to a team-friendly deal, along with veteran big Mason Plumlee, who was brought in less than a week ago. In return, they get two under-25 prospects in Ziaire Williams (a former lottery pick with elite length and defensive upside) and Day’Ron Sharpe, a bruising rebounder who fills the backup center role vacated by Plumlee.

Even more importantly, they add two 2027 draft assets — one outright and one with swap rights — giving Charlotte increased flexibility in what could be a loaded draft class.

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Front Office Philosophy: Burn It Down, Build It Right

What GM Jeff Peterson is executing has now become clear:

• Move off mid-tier veterans

• Collect controllable, high-upside youth

• Stockpile picks and swap rights

• Build around Brandon Miller, Donovan Clingan, and the 2025 draft class

In the past week alone, Charlotte has dealt:

• Miles Bridges

• Collin Sexton

• Josh Green

• Kon Knueppel

• Tre Mann

• Mason Plumlee

• Vasilije Micić

• Jusuf Nurkić (twice!)

And in return, they’ve acquired:

• Donovan Clingan

• Nick Richards (again)

• Ziaire Williams

• Day’Ron Sharpe

• Pat Connaughton

• Scottie Pippen Jr.

• Multiple 1st and 2nd round picks

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Fan Reaction: Split but Intrigued

Buzz City fans are torn — but engaged.

“We may only win 22 games next year, but at least we have a plan. Peterson is cooking,” one user posted on Hornets Reddit.

“Losing Bridges and Mann hurts… but Clingan and these picks might finally be the move toward building something that lasts,” another added.

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What’s Next?

With cap space opening, a draft arsenal loaded, and youth development taking priority, don’t be surprised if the Hornets aren’t done yet. Veterans like Pat Connaughton could still be moved, and rumors persist about the future of LaMelo Balland Mark Williams.

This rebuild is painful, but suddenly… it’s purposeful.

Almondoh Joi writes about front office strategy and rebuilding teams for ESPN. Follow him on X @AlmondohKnows.