Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Nerlens Noel, G Alec Burks, 2023 First-Round Pick (DAL)
New York Knicks Receive: G Terry Rozier
The Charlotte Hornets are a team with plenty of needs. In the short term, they need a big man. A combination of Mason Plumlee and Montrezl Harrell was not sufficient on the defensive end in 2021-22. Kai Jones is intriguing, but he’s young and unpolished.
The Hornets are widely expected to seek an upgrade at the position this summer and Terry Rozier could be helpful in doing so.
In the long term, they need to clear cap space. Miles Bridges is a restricted free agent this summer, and LaMelo Ball’s inevitably huge rookie contract extension looms. With this deal, the Hornets kill both birds with one stone.
Noel would be the starting center in Buzz City from day one. Meanwhile, the Hornets get off of Terry Rozier’s four-year pact in exchange for two smaller, two-year deals. Getting a first-round pick is a bonus in what’s already a win-win deal for this team.
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Meanwhile, Terry Rozier is worth the cost for the New York Knicks. He’d be the best lead guard they’ve paired with Julius Randle to date. Together, the two ought to make a playoff push in 2022-23.
