NBA Rumors: Michael Jordan Wants Russell Westbrook At Hornets Under One Condition

Houston Rockets superstar Russell Westbrook has made himself available, and now Michael Jordan wants to leverage a deal for the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets are sitting steadily in an advantageous spot at No. 3 in the NBA Draft. Among the in-demand stars in the market, Westbrook has reportedly become Jordan’s choice.

However, Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak is looking to seal a deal for Westbrook without the involvement of their pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported, citing unnamed sources.

“Since it was reported that Russell Westbrook wants out (of Houston), the Hornets have emerged as the most likely team to land him,” O’Connor wrote. “Front office sources tell me Michael Jordan wants the 2016-17 MVP, which is unsurprising and understandable. But those same sources add that the Hornets won’t put the No. 3 pick in Wednesday’s draft on the table for Westbrook, so the organization is clearly not overly zealous to make a deal.”

The NBA insider, who has covered an array of credible NBA trade stories, also pointed out that Jordan’s plan is feasible as Hornets have “plenty of options” to lure the Rockets into a deal apart from the No. 3 pick.

“But not including the no. 3 pick isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker,” he stated. “The Hornets have plenty of options to tempt the Rockets. They also have the 32nd pick in Wednesday’s draft—which is loaded with role players, not top talent—as well as all of their future first-round picks, which hold value if the Hornets don’t win as many games as they hope.”

With just hours away from the 2020 NBA Draft, the Hornets have been heavily linked to James Wiseman. The former Memphis Tigers star recently confirmed that Charlotte and the Golden State Warriors are the only teams who have kept in touch with him thus far.

“Golden State and Charlotte [Hornets] were the teams that stayed in contact throughout [the draft process],” Wiseman said in a conference call with reporters Monday. “I’ve been getting a lot of recommendations from [the Timberwolves]. In terms of talking to them, I haven’t.”

Regardless of what team picks him out, Wiseman insisted that he will do what he’s supposed to do and more importantly, win games.

“I would feel good, whatever team that picks me,” the 19-year-old emphasized. “I’m going to go in there, learn as much as possible, work my tail off, and just want to win.”