With the NBA trade deadline passing Thursday without a move by the Charlotte Hornets, here's what counts most the next few months:
_ The rotation coach James Borrego used in Houston on Tuesday _ four high-priced veterans outside the playing group _ figures to be the norm going forward.
_ The Hornets will have an abundance of salary cap room next summer _ $25 million or more _ once contracts for Bismack Biyombo, Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist expire July 1.
Hornets management doesn't use the word "rebuild," but to call this process anything else is silly. This was the only sensible path once they didn't pay what it would take to re-sign All-Star Kemba Walker. What Borrego did in Houston by starting second-round rookie Cody Martin and directing all the minutes to younger guys makes sense the remaining 30-some games.
I asked Borrego how much Tuesday's rotation reflects Charlotte's path.
"The plan all along has been to play the young guys. I think for the most part, we've stuck to that plan," Borrego replied. "There are (young) guys we're leaning on a little bit more now, minutes-wise.
"The goal now is to get these young guys experience. The more the better. ... There is nothing like game-time action."
I don't think that means you'll never see Wiliams, Batum or Biyombo play. But Borrego is all-in on maximizing experience for Martin, Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon, (in addition to starters Devonte Graham, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges) over using the veterans in discretionary minutes.
Which makes me wonder if we will see one or more buyouts of veteran contracts. I could certainly see Kidd-Gilchrist, who has played in only 12 games this season, desiring his release to try to sign elsewhere. The Dallas Mavericks have some interest in adding a defender of Kidd-Gilchrist's type.
Buyouts are usually player-driven, rather than team-driven. Kidd-Gilchrist would have to give up some portion, probably small, of this season's $13 million guaranteed contract in return for being released. I don't know that a buyout makes as much sense for Williams or Biyombo, who have played more this season, but that's always possible.
