One NBA writer is proposing that the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets make a trade to shake up the 2023 draft.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Pistons send Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks and the fifth overall pick to the Hornets for Gordon Hayward and the second overall pick.
Swartz then has the Pistons selecting Brandon Miller from Alabama.
“No team fell further from their projected spot on lottery night than the Pistons, who were tied for the best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick,” Swartz wrote. “While moving back up to first is out of the question, Detroit should have interest in switching places with the Hornets at No. 2 for the right to select Alabama forward Brandon Miller.
“Miller would be the perfect fit on this Pistons roster, one that’s loaded with guards and bigs. Putting the 6’9″ forward between players like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman and others would help balance out the roster and give Detroit arguably the best group of young talent in the NBA. Hayward doesn’t fit the team’s timeline, but the 33-year-old is on an expiring $31.5 million contract, giving the Pistons an asset to salary-match with closer to the trade deadline.”
NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Miller, Detroit Pistons & Charlotte Hornets Updates
The 2023 NBA Draft is on Thursday, June 22. Swartz proposed this trade because he feels like it would help the Pistons and Hornets.
“For Charlotte, falling three spots would still land the Hornets an elite prospect like Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson or Cam Whitmore,” Swartz wrote. “Charlotte should also be more desperate to jump back into contention with LaMelo Ball entering the final season of his rookie deal, meaning the Hornets should be thrilled to add veterans like Bogdanović and Burks to the rotation.
“Bogdanović averaged 21.6 points and shot 41.1 percent from three for the Pistons last season while Burks chipped in 12.1 points on 41.4 percent from deep. For a Charlotte team that ranked just 29h in three-point accuracy (33.0 percent) and tied for 28th in makes (10.7 per game), both Bogdanović and Burks would completely open things up for Ball and company.”
NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Miller, Detroit Pistons & Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Pistons are led by Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, while the Hornets have All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
