Charlotte Hornets trade Hayward for former top pick in mock trade
When it comes to interesting deals that the Charlotte Hornets could do, this one certainly qualifies. A hypothetical trade proposal appearing on NBA Analysis Network features the Hornets agreeing to a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that would shake things up quite a bit.
Heading to Brooklyn from Charlotte would be the combination of Gordon Hayward and Cody Martin. Coming to the Hornets would be a 2027 first-round draft selection and former number-one overall pick Ben Simmons. As author James Piercey notes, this could complicate things when it comes to potentially retaining Miles Bridges after this season, but this is still a deal worth considering.
"“Could this make life more difficult in terms of signing Miles Bridges next summer? Perhaps. Still, we don’t know how Bridges will even look next year. The Hornets shouldn’t plan around him. Meanwhile, it’s been rumored that Hayward is looking for a change of scenery in the first place. So, flipping him for a first-round pick makes sense – even if it means taking on Simmons’ contract. It will expire in a couple of years, and the Hornets will have a first-round pick to show for it. If they’re lucky, they’ll use that pick on a player who’ll be worth a lot of money down the road. “"
When it comes to acquiring Ben Simmons it is an area that the acquiring team must tread carefully. Simmons is talented but has missed quite a bit of time in his very young career. One large segment was due to a metatarsal bone fracture in his foot before his rookie season. The other? The less-than-stellar way his exit from Philadelphia played out. Simmons would also deal with a back injury in 2022 that would result in his first year with the Nets coming to a premature end. Even when he is on the court, Simmons is not playing at the level that resulted in his five-year $177 million extension with the 76ers.
Looking at the Hayward portion of this deal, this makes a ton of sense for both sides. Hayward’s time with the Hornets has a definitive end date that may come sooner rather than later. Acquiring a talented, yet frustrating player in Simmons, who is under contract for one more year than Hayward, while also landing a first-round pick in return is intriguing. Charlotte could use the pick as-is or flip it for another player down the line.
Should a trade like this be proposed, it may be worth entertaining the thought of it. The Hornets need to think about the long-term future of the organization while at the same time finding a way to improve upon last season’s disastrous campaign. This could be a way for Charlotte to accomplish both should things work out properly, but with Ben Simmons involved that is far from a guarantee.
