Statistical Analysis: Draft Rumors, Trading Up, and the Best Move for the Charlotte Hornets

How the owners of this year’s top two picks are unique in draft history

In the NBA, every trade offer is a negotiation of value considerations. A team’s goal from season to season often changes the value of certain players or picks.

For example, a good-but-not-great player on a contract worth more than his contributions might have considerably more value to a championship-caliber team looking to elevate itself above its peers than he does to a team trying to accumulate value in assets and formulate a core of players to build a successful team around like the Hornets.

Unlike most years, the owners of the first and second picks (the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors respectively) aren’t unestablished bottom-dwelling clubs who lack superstar talent. Minnesota acquired guards D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley last season to complement star big man Karl-Anthony Towns and make a push for playoff contention. Backcourt flame-throwing duo Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are returning from serious injuries to presumably push the Warriors back into their familiar place as title contenders after essentially punting last season.

Suffice to say, each team is more interested in adding players who can contribute to high-level winning immediately than young unknowns if they can help it. Both have been shopping their picks to find such deals as it’s been widely-reported.

While teams like the Bulls, Pistons, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Hawks are probably higher on each team’s list of potential trade partners because of the talent they have to offer, they’re also likely to target the Hornets and players like Devonte’ Graham, Cody Zeller, Miles Bridges, and Terry Rozier or picks like Charlotte’s 32nd in this year’s draft.