Spurs are big winners of a Hornets trade they had absolutely nothing to do with

Just a few days removed from their loss against the Charlotte Hornets, the San Antonio Spurs are likely still feeling the sting of that L. Fortunately, the Hornets just did something that should make Spurs fans rejoice.

Charlotte has long been among the NBA's worst teams, but they have got lightning in a bottle this season and are among the league's hottest teams.

They have apparently gotten the memo and are putting together something special down in Charlotte. So much so that they were buyers at the trade deadline, acquiring Colby White from the Chicago Bulls.

Who cares, right? Why is that a big deal for the Spurs? Well, the Hornets are 11th in the Eastern Conference playoff race and are hot on the heels of the Atlanta Hawks. You see where I'm going with this, right?

The Charlotte Hornets just helped out the Spurs big time

Adding White gives them more firepower offensively and could be just what they needed as they look to surpass Atlanta in the playoff race. Doing so would drop the Hawks out of the play-in tournament altogether and ensure that San Antonio ends up with the lottery pick.

Not only for this season, but potentially for next season as well. The Hawks are in a weird spot. They traded both Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis for salary filler and a gamble on Jonathan Kuminga.

To their credit, they do have an unprotected New Orleans Pelicans pick, which could end up being a top-five selection in a stacked 2026 NBA Draft. They also have another first-round pick but still owe the Spurs a pick swap as well as an unprotected 2027 first.

The Spurs may have pulled off an all-time great trade

With any luck and the Hornets hot on the Hawks' heels, San Antonio could end up with a pick that ends up being around 12th this year. Moreover, the Hornets' sudden ascent will hopefully ensure the Spurs end up with another lottery pick after next season in the 2027 NBA Draft.

That would retroactively make the Dejounte Murray trade one of the best in franchise history, if not the best. If Atlanta fails to make the playoffs this season and next, the Spurs would have gotten three lottery selections from that deal as well as having put them in position to draft Victor Wembanyama.

GM Brian Wright is cooking with fire, and apparently so are the Hornets. They have an exciting young team that seems to be leaning into having an explosive offense. Let's hope they can keep up their sizzling play and help the Spurs secure another lottery pick courtesy of the Hawks.