The NBA is a rat race, and in case you haven’t noticed, all of its teams don’t and themselves in the same position. 

Of course, the position a team does find itself in typically informs its decisions in transactions. Contending teams seek quality veterans while rebuilding teams seek first-round picks. On the other hand, it’s not always as cut and dry as that, either. 

A 60-win team usually has an obvious objective: improve, and try to win the NBA championship.

On the other hand, a 20-win team has similarly obvious goals: land first-round picks and young players, and try to win a championship – in five or more years. What about a 43-win team? 

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That’s how many victories the Hornets came away with in 2021-22. With an odd mixture of veterans and young players, the Hornets are at a precipice. They could try to improve ahead of 2022-23, or, they could try to take rebuilding measures. 

Here’s a deal that has them taking the latter route in a deal with the contending Los Angeles Clippers.