Trade Scenario No. 3 – Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Kristaps Porzingis, F Dorian Finney-Smith

Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Terry Rozier, C Cody Zeller, F Miles Bridges, BRK 2021 2nd Round Pick (via CHA), CHA 2022 1st Round Pick

While they have been a team near the bottom of the Eastern Conference for years now, the Charlotte Hornets are a really solid basketball team this year and have a great group of young talent. After signing former All-Star Gordon Hayward in the offseason, this organization finally has its “go-to” leader on the court and someone who can lead a young group of inexperienced players. 

Hayward has been a part of numerous playoff teams over the course of his career and knows what it takes to win games, which made him one of the better offseason signings in the league for the Hornets. The addition of rookie LaMelo Ball has also helped change the dynamic of this team and help lead them to a great start.

While they are very much in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets are a team that can struggle at times offensively. Outside of Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, this team has a lot of inconsistent playmakers and as a result, they rank 20th in the league in points per game. 

The addition of Kristaps Porzingis could not only help make Charlotte a better offensive team, but it also opens the door for them to be able to contend for a playoff spot this year. For Dallas, getting Terry Rozier would be a huge addition for them, even though they have Jalen Brunson and Trey Burke in the backcourt with Doncic. 

Rozier has been on a tear of late and has quietly been having one of the better offensive seasons in the league. He is averaging nearly 21 points per game and is shooting 45.1% from three-point range, making him one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the league at this moment. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Mavericks reached out to Warriors to gauge interest in Kristaps Porzingis trade

Dallas really needs scoring and while Doncic is this team’s primary ball-handler, Terry Rozier could fit right in because he is used to playing off-the-ball. Having a two-guard lineup of Doncic and Rozier not only makes the Mavericks a better scoring team, but allows them to open things up a little more offensively. 

Not to mention, Cody Zeller and Miles Bridges are also two key role players the Mavericks could utilize for offensive production. Zeller is averaging 9.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and Miles Bridges is averaging 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. 

Getting a stud in Rozier and two key role players in Zeller and Bridges gives this Mavericks’ team the firepower they need to make a strong playoff push this year and it also gives them the ability to continue drafting high-level talent through the NBA Draft. 

If the Hornets are interested in Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks should be happy to trade him for Rozier and some draft compensation at the very least. Getting Terry Rozier would be a huge addition for the Dallas Mavericks.