Nick Smith Jr. is in the midst of a playing time renaissance. The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has quickly developed from a seldom used bench guard into a key piece in the Charlotte Hornets’ rotation as a key cog in Charles Lee’s attempts to pull his team's offense out of the league’s basement.

NBA rumors suggest the Charlotte Hornets are open to trading their 2023 1st-round pick to reshape their roster.

Rival teams have also revealed Charlotte’s willingness to discuss the availability of Nick Smith Jr., who was drafted No. 27 overall in 2023 in what was recorded as the last first-round pick

The Charlotte Hornets traded Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns in a move that was widely panned as a win-win for both sides. Charlotte flipped Richards for an active, defensive-minded wing in Josh Okogie and a handful of future second round draft picks,