Charlotte Hornets Receive: F/C Anthony Davis, F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Miles Bridges (sign-and-trade), F Kelly Oubre Jr., C Mason Plumlee, Future First-Round Pick
This is the least likely scenario of the three, but a different route that the teams could take to complete a deal. If the Hornets want to retain as much draft capital as possible, this would be the package to do it.
Miles Bridges is 24-years old coming off of a career season, entering restricted free agency. He is eligible for a five-year, $173 million deal and is seeking a max. The Hornets will likely match any offer sheet that he signs, but they could use this to leverage a deal with the Lakers.
Depending on how much he signs for, the players joining him in the deal could need to be tweaked. If he signs a full max, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mason Plumlee should work under the league’s salary cap.
This trade revamps the entire frontcourt, as the Lakers now have a more versatile group to deploy at power forward and center. The team also has a long-term building block in Bridges, who could turn into the face of the franchise when LeBron James moves on.
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Heading back to Charlotte with Davis is Talen Horton-Tucker, who regressed this season and is one of the players Los Angeles has been looking to move. Kendrick Nunn missed the entire season with a bone bruise on his knee and is included to make the salaries work.
Because they were able to land Bridges, the Lakers are only receiving one future first-round pick in this swap. Los Angeles could probably haggle and try getting one of their two first-round selections in the 2022 NBA Draft if they prefer the draft compensation to be immediate.
