The Charlotte Hornets is in a position where they could trade away Al Jefferson despite the team’s success in the Eastern Conference.

Jefferson is in the final year of his three-year $40 million (AU $55.73M) contract with the Hornets, and this alone makes him a possible candidate to be traded before the deadline. But the more logical reason for Big Al to be the odd man out in Charlotte is the team’s success without him, sparking speculations that the Hornets is better off without their All-Star center.

The Hornets have become the surprise team in the East with a 15-11 record despite the absence of Jefferson, who was forced to sit out Charlotte’s last nine games due to a calf injury and is expected to be out of action until Dec. 26 after violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. In the games without Jefferson, the Hornets were 4-2 and had a more fluid offence and defence with Cody Zeller filling in at the centre position.

Trading Jefferson before the deadline is not impossible, but according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, dealing the 6-foot-10 centre for someone that would fit in both short-term and long-term would be challenging for the Hornets.

Bonnell noted that the teams likely to acquire Jefferson are those who are looking for a salary dump because of his expiring contract. Bonnell also pointed out that the Hornets’ top priority for next summer is to retain Frenchman Nicolas Batum, which would be expensive, making Jefferson the expendable piece in Buzz City.

But according to Chris Barnewall of SB Nation, the Hornets are in a “unique trade situation” where they are trying to move a player amid a successful season. However, Barnewell argued that there is no reason for a winning team to make a roster change.

“Past history has shown the Hornets aren't afraid to make changes, but they need a reason to make that change,” Barnewall wrote. “Right now, Charlotte has no need to mix it up, and that just shows how far this team has come over the past few years. ”

The Hornets may get other teams to inquire about Jefferson if they make him available during the trade season. But with the Hornets looking good in the East, they might just gamble in retaining Jefferson and see if he could be the piece that could push them for a playoff spot.

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