This Hornets-Lakers Trade Sends Gordon Hayward To L.A.

Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network
Charlotte Hornets
NBA Analysis Network

Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal 

Frankly, Ball may not be enthusiastic to hear the news of this deal. The Hornets are certainly making a gamble here. 

If you haven’t caught on, this deal has them tanking. With the upcoming 2023 draft, that’s a decision a lot of teams would consider making. 

Obviously, Victor Wembanyama is the big prize. If the Hornets were able to pair him with LaMelo Ball, they’d have the collective talent to form a dynasty. On the other hand, there would be plenty of intriguing options for this team outside of Wembanyama. 

If the Hornets drafted second, in theory, they could trade the rights to draft Scoot Henderson for an absolute bounty. Meanwhile, they could land any of Cam Whitmore, Nick Smith, Keynote George, and many others, and land Ball a co-star. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

By contrast, the Lakers don’t own their upcoming pick. Tanking is not an option. Does this deal make them better? 

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Picture of James Piercey

James Piercey

When it comes to exploring the endless possibilities of NBA trades, there's no one quite like James Piercey. With a keen eye for player dynamics, salary cap intricacies, and a knack for discovering uncharted trade territory, James has risen to prominence as the preeminent expert in the realm of hypothetical NBA trades. James is also known for his work covering the Houston Rockets for SB Nation's The Dream Shake — a blog that gives a daily, comprehensive look at the team. He has written for various outlets, including FanSided and Last Word on Sports, among others.

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