There are teams viewed as NBA championship contenders and there are teams on the rise looking to get to that level. This trade features both. The Denver Nuggets are right on the cusp of a championship while the Charlotte Hornets continue to improve in hopes of getting to that level. There is no reason why the two cannot get together for a deal to help both sides.

The Nuggets have been near the top of the Western Conference for years now but have been unable to get to the NBA Finals. The West is deep and that is not going to change moving forward. The Nuggets have all their pieces in place. Nikola Jokic is coming off an MVP season while Jamal Murray is an elite point guard.

Murray might miss the regular season with a knee injury and this is where Denver could be looking for a short-term replacement for the season. If a team is looking for help in the backcourt, the Hornets are a team to call.

Charlotte came into the offseason with great depth in the backcourt. Devonte’ Graham is now with the New Orleans Pelicans but the Hornets added some pieces that still gives them that flexibility to make a move.

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LaMelo Ball continues to be the centerpiece of the team and James Bouknight was picked in the 2021 NBA Draft. There is a clear plan in Charlotte to continue to build depth and explosiveness at the guard position that can help the Hornets get into the postseason mix in the Eastern Conference.

This is a trade that would help both sides accomplish goals moving forward. Here is what that deal might look like as the offseason continues.