In some respects, NBA teams are no different than you or I. They have needs. Surely you have needs, right? 

Some NBA teams need a secondary ball-handler. They may have one dynamic star, but he needs help. Others need a big man – they’ve got plenty of guards and wings, but they’re missing an interior presence. On the other hand, some teams just need to clear a little cap space. 

Sometimes, those needs conflict. Say, for example, you need a center, and you also need to clear some cap. Which need are you going to prioritize? 

The Charlotte Hornets find themselves in that exact position. As a young team with some expensive veterans, they could stand to balance their books.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets & Portland Trail Blazers Updates

At the same time, if they’re going to eventually take a step forward, they’ll need a starting center. 

Here’s a deal that tries to strike a balance between those priorities by sending Gordon Hayward to the Portland Trail Blazers.