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Charlotte Hornets should consider trading down in the draft

By Jerry Stephens

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Malachi Richardson (Syracuse) walks to the stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Malachi Richardson (Syracuse) walks to the stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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With all of the holes that the Charlotte Hornets need to fill this offseason, they should strongly consider trading down in the draft.

In the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets hold one first round pick (11th overall) and one second round pick (41st overall). Those aren’t bad spots and they are in prime position to take a top player in the lottery. With that being said, the team has needs and they don’t have the current means to fix all of them.

While Charlotte could grab a quality player with the 11th pick, they should consider moving down in the draft. If the Hornets can trade their top pick and get multiple picks or even a player and pick in return, that may be a win for them. That way, they could fill multiple holes instead of just one.

Unless Rich Cho can draft a surefire all-star level player with their current pick, the team should at least consider all of their options. There will surely be multiple teams looking to move up in the draft as they attempt to trade their way into the lottery. If the prospect Charlotte wants doesn’t fall to them, or they fall in love with a player who is projected to go lower in the first round, trading back would be the right course of action.

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Trade with the Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers hold three first round picks (15th, 20th and 26th overall) this year. While they could hold onto all of them and grab some young talent to help shape their roster, it is more likely that they trade to trade at least one of them. The Hornets should take advantage of Portland’s surplus of first-round selections.

If the Trail Blazers want to make a serious addition to their already strong roster, they have the means to trade up and get a top prospect. Charlotte could entice them with the 11th pick. Getting the 15th and either the 20th or 26th in return would be ideal. That way, the Hornets could grab two first round talents.

With this loaded draft class, they could get two prospects with plenty of potential. That would help them fill two of their needs. Considering their limited cap space and other resources, this would be the best possible outcome for the team.

Making a deal with the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks only have one first round pick (19th overall) in the 2017 NBA Draft but they also hold the 31st overall pick (1st pick in the second round). That is pretty much another first round pick this year because of how deep the draft. Although this return isn’t the best haul for Charlotte, maybe a future first or a couple of seconds would be enough to get it done.

Atlanta may look to blow up their current roster this summer with Paul Millsap being a free agent and if that is the case, a high draft pick would be exactly what they are looking for to build around. With the Hornets being a borderline playoff team, they are in a position where they could move back in the draft and still be good going forward.

Swap with the Brooklyn Nets

This is the least exciting deal of the three. The Nets may hold two first round picks this year but they come late which isn’t ideal. Although, it would give Charlotte two selections in the first round which, in this draft class, could still be worth plenty. Maybe they could even get a player or a future pick back in return.

Brooklyn will be desperate to get a top pick considering that they don’t have their actual selection this year or next year. That may force them to get reckless and the Hornets could be the ones to take advantage of that recklessness.

Next: Michael Jordan to recruit Blake Griffin in free agency

Most fans will probably want the Charlotte Hornets to keep the 11th overall pick because of the intriguing prospects near the top of the draft but if they could get two first round picks by trading it, then they should seriously consider it. We’ll see what Rich Cho and Michael Jordan choose to do on draft night. June 22nd can’t come soon enough.

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