The Charlotte Hornets had a tough time against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Cleveland, with a 31-5 record, dominated the Hornets’ big men in the first half of the game.
Because of Charlotte’s struggles inside, head coach Charles Lee decided to bring in veteran forward Taj Gibson, who hadn’t played much recently. Despite his effort, Gibson couldn’t make a big impact on the stat sheet, while Cleveland’s big men, Allen and Mobley, combined for 36 points and 16 rebounds on 15-23 shooting, easily overpowering the Hornets’ front line.
A key point in this game was the limited playing time for backup center Nick Richards. Mark Williams’ return to form has led to a decrease in Richards’ minutes, and Richards has not been as effective as he was earlier in the season when Williams was sidelined.
Richards played only eight minutes in this game, his lowest of the season. This could be a sign that the Hornets may consider trading him before the trade deadline. Since Charlotte drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, Richards has been a part of trade rumors.
His size (7’0″, 245 lbs) and solid two-way play make him a potential target for teams looking for depth, especially those in the Western Conference, where teams face strong centers like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Davis. Teams like Golden State, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers might be interested in Richards.
Another player who saw limited minutes on Sunday was Vasilije Micic. He played just five minutes, his lowest this season, after being an important part of the rotation earlier in the year. Micic has had his playing time reduced in recent games, with K.J. Simpson and Nick Smith Jr. getting more time in the backcourt.
Nick Smith Jr. stood out in the game against the Cavaliers. The 20-year-old, making his first extended appearance since December 7th, scored 18 points on 7-12 shooting. Smith Jr. impressed with his ball-handling and smooth jumper, helping the Hornets’ offense during the second and third quarters. His performance earned him more playing time over the veteran Micic.
Like Richards, Micic has also been part of trade rumors since the summer. Could he join his fellow countryman Nikola Jokic in Denver? Or perhaps he might head to Minnesota to back up Mike Conley Jr.? It remains to be seen, but if Micic continues to see limited minutes, his name will likely remain in trade talks as the deadline approaches on February 6th.
