Charlotte Hornets Receive: C/F Kevin Love

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Gordon Hayward

This simple exchange ought to scratch itches for both sides.

The Charlotte Hornets swap a two-year contract for an expiring one. That’s significant for them. They’ll likely be retaining Miles Bridges in restricted free agency this year. Next year, they’ll be ponying up for LaMelo Ball’s rookie extension. They might want to invest in several of those burlap sacks with dollar signs on them for that one.

Meanwhile, Love bolsters their big man rotation. Basically, they get a player at a position of need while improving their contractual situation. It’s hard to imagine how they could do much better than that.

On the other hand, is it? Love may be able to soak up minutes at the 5, but he doesn’t feel like the type of big man the Hornets need. He offers a lot to an NBA team, but his rim protection does leave room for improvement.

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If the Hornets are looking for more of a defensive presence on that end, they may need a third team to make a deal work.