Hornets Eye Jaren Jackson Jr Trade for Miles Bridges

Charlotte has ripped off a dominant stretch since Jan. 1, sitting top five in winning percentage and first in net rating. Talk has turned to a blockbuster: Miles Bridges and assets to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr. That swap would answer a 19th-ranked defense and balance LaMelo, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel’s playmaking with a two-way anchor, while Bridges is said to be available for "a first (round pick), maybe two." Merlin sees a rare window. Charlotte’s cheap, young core and roster flexibility make a Jackson upgrade tempting as a win-now-and-later move; Jackson, 26, comes with length, switchability and a contract that keeps him under team control for years. Memphis would accelerate a needed rebuild with multiple firsts and youth, but chemistry risk looms for a team finally finding rhythm.