12/14 – Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons
Normally, a matchup with the rebuilding Detroit Pistons would not garner a particularly high level of excitement, but this offseason’s NBA draft provided a storyline to keep an eye on in this matchup. With the 13th selection, the Hornets selected big man Jalen Duren from Memphis, seemingly solving their biggest roster issue with one of the draft’s best prospects at the position. However, it was soon announced that Duren had been traded to the Pistons as part of a three-way deal between the Hornets, Pistons, and New York Knicks.
Trade summary:
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) June 24, 2022
Knicks get - 2025 first-round pick
Pistons get - Jalen Duren, Kemba Walker
Hornets get - 2023 first-round pick, 4 second-round picks
Charlotte would get their man soon after, as they selected Mark Williams from Duke with the 15th selection. While only time will tell whether they made the right decision in trading Duren, this initial matchup may provide a barometer for the initial returns on the deal.
Detroit’s last visit to the Spectrum Center is one that the Hornets would like to forget, as Kelly Olynyk made a fadeaway jump shot at the overtime buzzer to give the Pistons a 127-126 victory. This snapped the Hornets’ 15-game winning streak against the Pistons, who they had not lost to since October 18th, 2017. It also marked Detroit’s first win in Charlotte since November 29th, 2016.
Kelly Olynyk with the DAGGER to put the Hornets away in OT 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6BnjjoeuQA
— ESPN (@espn) February 28, 2022
This also marks a homecoming of sorts for Detroit’s Saddiq Bey, a Charlotte native whose mother played for UNC Charlotte.