To buck convention, you need guts. Going against the grain is not easy. In the NBA. that’s as true as it is anywhere else.
In the NBA Draft, the convention is “select the best player available”. That’s the driving principle that most teams adhere to. In the eyes of many, the Charlotte Hornets bucked that convention this summer. Most folks had Scoot Henderson pegged as the second overall pick in this draft. The Hornets went with Brandon Miller anyway.
Evidently, the Hornets didn’t want to draft a point guard with Scoot Henderson on the roster. That’s reasonable enough. With that said, the Hornets have tipped their hat. We’ve got some idea of how they intend to construct this roster. Here are three trades we think they should consider this summer with that in mind.
Trade No. 1 – Hornets Acquire Delon Wright From Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards Receive: G James Bouknight
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Delon Wright
Sure, the Hornets avoided Henderson. He’s got franchise player potential, and the Hornets have their franchise player at their position. This team still needs a backup point guard.
A heady veteran might be the best bet. The Hornets don’t need another superstar at the position. They need a low-turnover game manager who can set up teammates. That’s Delon Wright. Moreover, his plus positional size allows him to have a taller point guard on the floor at all moments. He’d be a solid acquisition for this team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets, Delon Wright, Gordon Hayward & P.J. Washington Updates
Granted, parting with a recent lottery pick to land him is suboptimal. Sometimes, that’s an unfortunate reality in the NBA. The Hornets haven’t featured Bouknight, and his trade value has dropped as a result. With that said, the newly rebuilding Wizards should be happy to take a flyer on him.
Trade No. 2 – Hornets Send Gordon Hayward To San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs Receive: F Gordon Hayward
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Doug McDermott, G Devonte’ Graham, G/F Reggie Bullock
By contrast, the Spurs were never going to defy convention with the first overall pick in this draft. Everyone knew what they were going to do.
They were going to select Victor Wembanyama, and they did. The Spurs were thrilled to land a potentially generational prospect. Now, they’re tasked with putting the right roster around him. At the moment, the Spurs have a number of medium-sized contracts on the books. Here, we’ve got them consolidating them to land the best player in the deal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets, PJ Washington & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Still, the Hornets can afford to part with him. They’re getting their backup point guard in Graham here, as well as an elite movement shooter in McDermott. Given that rumors have suggested that Hayward would like a change of scenery, this deal makes sense for everyone involved.
Trade No. 3 – Hornets Sign and Trade PJ Washington to Charlotte Hornets
Orlando Magic Receive: F/C P.J. Washington
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F/C Jonathan Isaac, 2024 Second-Round Pick (ORL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (ORL)
Meanwhile, Washington’s restricted free agency looms over the Hornets. How are they going to handle this situation? By now, it feels like the Charlotte Hornets would have signed him if they intended on retaining him.
Washington is a versatile frontcourt player who can guard multiple positions. He can man the 5 in small-ball lineups and provide elite positional floor spacing. Surely, someone will want to have him on their roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Charlotte Hornets PJ Washington & Orlando Magic Updates
Why not the Magic? This team could use a boost in their floor spacing. Meanwhile, the Hornets might as well take a flier on the oft-injured Isaac. If this works out, it could be a huge steal for them, and if it doesn’t, his contract expires after this season.
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