Charlotte Hornets Solidify Playoff Spot With Trade For Courtney Lee

The Charlotte Hornets were dealt some tough news last week when it was discovered that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had torn the same labrum that he just had repaired in the offseason and would miss the rest of the season. Instead of sulking, general manager Rich Cho and majority owner Michael Jordan went out and found a replacement as the Hornets have acquired Courtney Lee in a three-team trade with the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis is trading Courtney Lee to Charlotte, sources tell @TheVertical

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 16, 2016

Sources: As part of Lee deal, Charlotte sending Brian Roberts, PJ Hairston and two 2nds to Memphis.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 16, 2016

Charlotte’s Brian Roberts will move to Miami as part of three-team deal with Charlotte and Memphis, sources tell @TheVertical

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 16, 2016

Sources: Miami will send two future second-round picks to Memphis as part of 3-team deal, although one is heavily protected.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 16, 2016

Miami will send Chris Andersen to Memphis in deal too, sources tell @TheVertical

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 16, 2016

Although Lee will essentially only be a two-month rental, the Hornets did a nice job of not giving up too much in the deal. Roberts was never going to be an important part of the rotation, and Hairston has proven himself to be nothing but a streaky three-point shooter. With Lee’s ability to defend and modest scoring ability, the loss of Kidd-Gilchrist will be softened greatly.

The Hornets currently sit at 27-26 and in the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. With this trade, it wouldn’t shock me if Steve Clifford‘s team finishes the season in the top-four and claims home-court advantage for its first round playoff series.