Mock trade has Hornets parting ways with Terry Rozier
Would it make sense for the Charlotte Hornets to part ways with veteran guard Terry Rozier? That is an option being proposed in a hypothetical trade appearing on NBA Analysis Network. Author James Piercey has the Hornets sending Rozier to an Eastern Conference contender while Charlotte receives some depth and a first-round draft pick in return.
The deal
Milwaukee Bucks: Terry Rozier
Charlotte Hornets: Pat Connaughton, Bobby Portis, MarJon Beauchamp, 2028 first-round draft pick
Acquiring Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton would certainly help the Hornets be a better team this season. Portis could slide in to be the much-needed veteran among Charlotte’s big men that they are currently missing. Connaughton could prove to be a useful option off the bench, possibly taking the spot of Gordon Hayward should the Hornets find a new team for him as well.
Concerning Beauchamp, Piercey praised his potential as a two-way player, a welcome addition to Charlotte.
"“Should the Hornets part with him? For this price, we think so. Again, Beauchamp has flashed plenty of potential as a two-way wing. Add in a first-round pick, and the Hornets would have to consider this deal – it would be a failure not to.”"
As with many of these mock trades, it is the inclusion of a first-round pick for Charlotte which is enticing. Most teams sending one over are contenders, making them highly unlikely to be lottery picks unless a catastrophic series of events occur. This means that Charlotte would be in a position to flip this pick for a known commodity or get out of a contract they are no longer interested in carrying. Both options are valuable depending on how things unfold in the future, and it is better to have them than not at all.
But does this deal make sense for the Hornets? Yes and no. Yes, because it would infuse some much-needed veteran leadership while at the same time removing a ball-dominant player from the starting lineup, which should allow LaMelo Ball to blossom into the superstar he could become. Getting a definitive answer on this is a must with his massive contract extension kicking in after this season.
The reason why the Hornets would not do this is fairly clear. The team’s ceiling for this season is higher with Rozier than without him. While this deal would raise the floor in Charlotte, this is a team that needs to get answers on more than a few players this season. Improving in the short term would be exciting to see, but it may impact their future in a negative manner.
It takes time to build a team properly, especially for a team like the Hornets. It is very easy to grow impatient and speed things up for the sake of speeding things up. This approach rarely works, if ever, and more often than ends up not being good for anyone involved.
