Doug flies solo to cover the latest Hornets loss to the Miami Heat, an NBA Cup game that got out of hand quickly. The first quarter was a disaster, with the team giving up 53 points, largely fueled by seven costly turnovers that led to easy transition buckets for Miami.

The game highlights the two biggest storylines for this team: injuries and rookies. The injury list is brutal, with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Josh Green all still out, and Collin Sexton missing this game too. LaMelo's continued absence with ankle impingement is now fueling serious trade rumors, with reports suggesting the market is ripe for a "mess for mess" guard swap. We explain why this trade talk feels more legitimate than simple speculation.

On the positive side, the injuries have opened the door for the rookies, and Kon Knueppel just kicked it down. He was outstanding, dropping his first 30-point game and scoring 20+ for the third straight time. His IQ and confidence are flashing star potential. Unfortunately, the rookies are being let down by the veterans, as Tre Mann and Miles Bridges went a combined 1-for-17 in the second half, killing any chance of a comeback.

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