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          Trade targets: How can the Hornets become a dangerous East team?

          What trades can help the Hornets in the East? Kent Smith/NBAE/Getty Images
          • Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 12, 2016, 01:00 AM
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            • Sports reporter, Kansas City Star, 2002-09
            • Writer, Baseball, Baseball Prospectus
            • Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus
            • Member, Baseball Writers Association of America
            • Member, Professional Basketball Writers Association
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          Trade targets: All 30 teams

          Charlotte Hornets

          Record: 27-26
          8th place in East

          Status: Buyers

          Update (Feb.16): The Hornets, Grizzlies and Heat made a trade centered around Courtney Lee. Read the trade grades here.

          The Hornets have outpaced expectations and remained in the playoff race all season even though Al Jefferson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have yet to share the floor this season. Steve Clifford's club played particularly well after Kidd-Gilchrist returned from his shoulder injury, but he reinjured it last week.

          What will owner Michael Jordan and GM Rich Cho do at the deadline? The clue may be in the presence of Nicolas Batum on the roster. Acquired from Portland in the last year of his contract for a solid prospect, Noah Vonleh, the message is that team brass wants to get as far as this roster can go.

          So what deals would make them an Eastern Conference contender?

          Potential trade targets