Grade the mock trade: Hornets flip Terry Rozier for 2 Lakers standouts

Does the proposed Hornets/Lakers trade make sense for Charlotte?

Moving on from Terry Rozier while bringing back Hachimura and Vanderbilt would undoubtedly be a home run trade for the Charlotte Hornets. With the futures of Bridges and Washington still unclear, adding two legitimate talents who can thrive as part of a rotation would be the ideal result of moving on from Rozier.

Vanderbilt would instantly improve Charlotte’s perimeter defense, while Hachimura’s offensive diversity would provide LaMelo ball with a multi-level pick-and-roll partner. Furthermore, the floor spacing that both forwards would provide would ensure additional room for the Hornets’ slashers to get downhill and pressure the rim.

There would be some slight crossover with Brandon Miller, so it’s likely that Vanderbilt would assume a bench role behind the 2023 second-overall draft pick in the rotation, yet that type of strength in depth is something the Charlotte Hornets haven’t been able to call upon in recent seasons. Conversely, Steve Clifford could roll out a big lineup and have Miller at the two, Vanderbilt at the three, and Hachimura at the four, with LaMelo as the lead guard and Mark Williams at the five.

If the Lakers were to make a trade offer for Rozier with both Hachimura and Vanderbilt heading in the opposite direction, the Charlotte Hornets would be foolish not to accept the trade offer.