{"id":33769,"date":"2020-10-20T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T12:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=33769"},"modified":"2020-10-12T23:10:44","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T03:10:44","slug":"charlotte-hornets-3-trade-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/10\/20\/charlotte-hornets-3-trade-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte Hornets: Three Trade Ideas to Prepare for the Future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If there is one team in the NBA that epitomizes NBA mediocrity, it&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/hornets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Charlotte Hornets<\/a>. Since taking majority ownership in 2010, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jordami01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Jordan<\/a><\/strong>&#8216;s team has made the playoffs just twice in 10 years. With the departure of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walkeke02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kemba Walker<\/a><\/strong> in last year&#8217;s free agency, the Hornets must turn its attention toward asset accumulation and prepare for the future.<\/p>\n<p>According to experts, the 2021 draft class stands to be one of the strongest in recent years. Cade Cunningham is the Crown Jewell and projected to be a superstar at the next level. Being one of the smallest markets in the NBA, the Hornets must build a championship roster through the draft.<\/p>\n<h2>Trade Ideas for the Charlotte Hornets<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Charlotte Hornets Eat Tobias Harris&#8217; Contract<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Part 1 &#8211; CHA\/PHI make a deal<\/p>\n<p>Charlotte eat a Tobias Harris&#39; huge contract but are handsomely rewarded for it.<\/p>\n<p>PHI GM Elton Brand is paying a price for a terrible mistake he made last Free Agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7ly1QmPzmo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/7ly1QmPzmo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Eagle Moneyball (@geola388) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/geola388\/status\/1310378335814336512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 28, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The cost for taking <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tobias Harris<\/a><\/strong>&#8216; contract is a steep one but so is four-years, $146-million. In this deal, the Charlotte Hornets acquire Harris, two future first-rounders and three second-rounders. The 28-year-old averaged 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 47.1 percent shooting and 36.7 percent from three. Harris is a skilled forward who will give you 20 points a night and can keep your offense afloat.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/76ers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> save close to $120-million over four seasons by adding one-year of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/batumni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nicolas Batum<\/a><\/strong>. The Frenchman&#8217;s $27-million deal is expiring this season and provides the Sixers with some financial flexibility. While it is painful to relinquish four assets, it&#8217;s in the best interests of the 76ers moving forward.<\/p>\n<h3>Charlotte Hornets Make a Play for Al Horford<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Part 2 &#8211; CHA\/PHI Revised<\/p>\n<p>This deal is similar to Part 1 but CHA take on less money. They still get a bunch of picks so its a win-win regardless.<\/p>\n<p>Horford simply doesn&#39;t fit in PHI so this makes sense with CHA sending Batum&#39;s expiry. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KEWd6wXRfP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/KEWd6wXRfP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Eagle Moneyball (@geola388) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/geola388\/status\/1310377742903332865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 28, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Similar to the reasoning above, Charlotte takes on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Horford<\/a><\/strong>&#8216;s remaining three-years for a coveted 2021 first-round pick and three seconds. At first glance, the veteran&#8217;s deal appears unpalatable until you look closer and see a partial guarantee in his final year ($14.5-million). Instead of absorbing $81-million, the Hornets are accepting $68.5-million in guaranteed money. Its another win for Charlotte who also adds to its future capital.<\/p>\n<p>The 76ers save $64-million (or $51.5-million with the partial guarantee) and can reallocate those funds to upgrading the roster. They sent four picks but that is a small price to pay for a big man who doesn&#8217;t fit next to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Devonte&#8217; Graham Heads to the Big Apple<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Part 3 &#8211; CHA\/NYK<\/p>\n<p>This is going to be a controversial trade but the idea is to get value in a loaded draft. Devonte Graham give NY a scoring guard, Zeller gives them more cap relief from Randle in 2020-21 and 2021-22.<\/p>\n<p>CHA receive DAL 2021 1st for 34th pick Graham who turned 25 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7MSgXBjVxg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/7MSgXBjVxg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Eagle Moneyball (@geola388) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/geola388\/status\/1310379686002716672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 28, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Charlotte Hornets cash in on Devonte&#8217; Graham&#8217;s value by receiving a 2021 first-rounder from the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/Knicks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">New York Knicks<\/a> (via the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/mavericks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a>). The 34th pick in 2018 averaged 18.2 points and 7.5 assists on 38.5 percent shooting and 37.3 percent from three. New York receives a microwave scorer who is able to create his own shot and hit big shots at key moments.<\/p>\n<p>Charlotte escapes with another pick in a loaded draft class and receives a second-rounder for accepting Randle&#8217;s $4-million partially guarantee in 2021. Randle is a formidable big man who will see playing time and could morph into another trade piece down the line.<\/p>\n<p>While the picks are the most important aspect of this trade, avoiding Graham&#8217;s Restricted Free Agency is a win. The Hornets are historically bad at assessing player value, often overpaying when it&#8217;s not required (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/roziete01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry Rozier<\/a>). Sending Graham to New York allows the Hornets to stay away from offering a bad deal.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Will They Follow the Rebuilding Path?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Charlotte is notorious for handing out bad long-term deals, overpaying for free agents, and fielding a team saturated with mediocrity. The 2021 draft is absolutely loaded with talent so the Hornets should be doing everything in their power to secure a high pick. Additionally, rebuilding means going young where timelines match with your future rookies.<\/p>\n<p>The Hornets are going to have to make decisions that benefit the franchise in the long-term. Handing out lucrative deals and hoping the team is decent is not a recipe for success. It&#8217;s time to change how things are done in Charlotte and the best way is to simply add assets.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Jordan must stay patient and rebuild his franchise from the ground up.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"MHV278b7QCZgYIVQr4fiDg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/52031410\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'MHV278b7QCZgYIVQr4fiDg',sig:'i0CdAqwgn_C0lbKYDNgA1UzkFKy788k2AMIR1PVW3cg=',w:'594px',h:'406px',items:'52031410',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If there is one team in the NBA that epitomizes NBA mediocrity, it&#8217;s the Charlotte Hornets. Since taking majority ownership in 2010, Michael Jordan&#8216;s team has made the playoffs just twice in 10 years. With the departure of Kemba Walker in last year&#8217;s free agency, the Hornets must turn its attention toward asset accumulation and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3477,"featured_media":34247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1608,62],"tags":[250,37,1380,282,225,343],"class_list":["post-33769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hornets","category-basketball","category-nba","tag-al-horford","tag-charlotte-hornets","tag-devonte-graham","tag-nicolas-batum","tag-philadelphia-76ers","tag-tobias-harris"],"modified_by":"David Ward, Associate Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3477"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}