NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Hornets' Mason Plumlee, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jalen McDaniels

Expect the Charlotte Hornets to be busy before the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the team is "discussing center Mason Plumlee and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. in trade conversations, sources say."

Additionally, Jaden McDaniels "continues to be a name several teams like the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs are closely monitoring."

The Hornets have been a disappointment in the 2022-23 season, going just 15-36 and finding themselves way out of the postseason picture. So dealing veteran role players for draft assets and young players would make sense.

Plumlee, 32, is having an excellent season, averaging career highs in scoring (12.2 PPG), rebounding (9.7 RPG) and shooting percentage (67.4 percent). For contending teams looking to add depth on the block, Plumlee would make sense as a February addition.

The 27-year-old Oubre is likewise averaging a career-high 20.2 points while providing athleticism and scrappy defense from the wing. While his shooting numbers from the perimeter aren't great (30.8 percent from three), wings who can put the ball in the basket consistently are always valuable, and contenders will come calling.

McDaniels, 24, will have his suitors for similar reasons, though the Hornets reportedly "value" the young forward. He's continued to progress nicely in his fourth season, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals per game.

As Charania noted, however, teams may be hesitant to give up too much in trade talks for McDaniels given his pending unrestricted free agency. Waiting until the summer to simply sign him outright may make more sense for teams than giving up assets in what could potentially only be a short-term rental.

Either way, expect the Hornets to be a team other general managers around the NBA have on speed dial in the next two weeks.