The Charlotte Bobcats are expected to become "buyers" on the trading floor with three weeks to go before the Feb. 20 NBA trade deadline, a source close to the situation disclosed on Friday.

Gunning for their second playoff stint in franchise history and perhaps the last one before they become the Hornets, Charlotte will try to add firepower to their offense by acquiring solid players via trade.

Hoopsworld NBA insider Alex Kennedy first reported the Bobcats' plan to pull off some trades that would help them compete in a very much wide open Eastern Conference playoff race.

"I've heard from rival executives that the Bobcats are going to be buyers at the deadline. This is an organization that is tired of losing games and they'd love to make the playoffs this year," Kennedy said via Sportando.net

Despite possessing a 21-27 record, six games below .500, the Bobcats are still in the playoff picture.

"This is their opportunity, with the Eastern Conference being wide open. I'd be surprised if they decided to pack it in and tank the rest of the season," Kennedy wrote.

There is plenty of trade speculation surrounding the Bobcats' future plan, but Sidery Sports chief writer Evan Sidery provided an intriguing trade scenario involving the Bobcats, the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the proposed trade, the Bobcats would receive point guard Jeremy Lin, forward Donatas Motiejūnas and small forward Evan Turner. The Sixers, on the other hand, will get Ben Gordon's expiring contract, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Omer Asik, whom Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie really wants to acquire.

Meanwhile, the Rockets would acquire point guard Ramon Sessions, stretch forward Thaddeus Young and center Spencer Hawes, allowing them to plug in all the loopholes in their roster.