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Charlotte Hornets: Potential 2021 NBA Draft trade up or down scenarios

By Anthony Boscia

Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 26: Alperen Sengun (L) of Besiktas ICRYPEX in action against Dragan Zekovic (L2) of CSM CSU Oradea during FIBA Champions League Group D basketball match between Besiktas ICRYPEX and CSM CSU Oradea at the Akatlar Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey on January 26, 2021. (Photo by Esra Bilgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 26: Alperen Sengun (L) of Besiktas ICRYPEX in action against Dragan Zekovic (L2) of CSM CSU Oradea during FIBA Champions League Group D basketball match between Besiktas ICRYPEX and CSM CSU Oradea at the Akatlar Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey on January 26, 2021. (Photo by Esra Bilgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

The Hornets swap first-round picks with Memphis and pick up veteran point guard

Hornets Draft Selections:

17th: C Alperen Sengun

51st: SF Herbert Jones

Memphis deals from a major position of strength in moving one of their bevy of young point guards to grab another player to complement their young star point guard Ja Morant.

The swapping of seconds just brings extra but near equal value both ways.

For Charlotte, the Hornets pick up a young point guard to run off the bench if Devonte’ Graham or Malik Monk leaves in free agency. The 51st pick has talent available there as well.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 05: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up to the basket against MaCio Teague #31 of the Baylor Bears in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 05: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs goes up to the basket against MaCio Teague #31 of the Baylor Bears in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

The Hornets move into the top 4 in a deal with Toronto that includes 2020 draft pick

Hornets Draft Selections:

4th: SG Jalen Suggs

56th: C Sandro Mamukelashvili

57th: SF Jordan Schakel

This one is controversial. The Hornets’ main priority right now should be to get a young star to pair up with LaMelo Ball; moving into the top 5, Charlotte can complete that task.

Hayward and #11 is a hefty price to pay, but it is a gamble that could really improve the Hornets squad down the line when Ball reaches his prime.

Ideally, Jalen Green would fall to us, but he won’t slip past three. Jalen Suggs may not be the best fit on the Hornets, just getting talent through the pipeline is what should be a priority for any front office working in the NBA.

You also could not go wrong selecting Jonathan Kuminga. Although he is raw, he still played pretty well against professionals his last season, oozes potential, and fits well with what Charlotte is doing.

Aron Baynes is also a nice piece to shore up the center position for right now. Baynes for Vernon Carey Jr. could also turn out well if they can unlock some of Carey’s potential and develop him into a nice piece off of the bench.

Meanwhile, Toronto gets a veteran player to potentially help them to continue to compete in the Eastern Conference. Trading Hayward may not be a very good look for the Hornets front office, especially since he was their first very major signing during the last offseason. The Raptors also would be able to stay in the lottery with this deal, which can help them add to their already talented core.