Hornets Receive:
Pick 9 (via Utah)
2027 1st Round Pick Swap (Hornets Receive Worst)
Jazz Receive:
Pick 27 (via Denver)
Pick 39 (via Utah)
Pick 41 (via OKC)
2024 2nd Round Pick (via Boston)
2027 1st Round Pick Swap (via Charlotte) (Jazz Receive Best)
The Hornets make a trade that not only shows their fans their belief in the current core, but also instantly locks them into it. By Trading up, the Hornets have a chance to grab a player similar to Brandon Miller in Taylor Hendricks, without the risk of missing out on a generational guard in Scoot Henderson at 2. Imagine a core lineup of;
PG: Lamelo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: Scoot Henderson, Bryce McGowens, Terry Rozier? SF: Kelly Oubre, Taylor Hendricks PF: Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington C: Mark Williams, Nick Richards
The Hornets were a 43-win team just 2 seasons ago (and I personally believe that this last season doesn't count), and we have a strong young core. As even the General Manager Mitch Kupchak stated, we don't need five 19-year-olds to add to the roster. What we need is the high-level talent to build around our budding stars.
For the Jazz, they get the chance to add youth now, and again over the ensuing years, to their exciting (albeit dry) core of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Sure they lose out on a top pick, but right now the important thing isn't to add a singular competent roster. Right now, you need to build a roster, during which you can still take stabs at players with superstar potential. And who knows, maybe this Hornets core falls apart, and that 2027 1st is a top pick, coincidently right around the time this core is looking to compete, which will give them the chance to add more elite talent and build a roster of stars.
Comments