Grade the mock trade: Hornets flip Gordon Hayward for 12-Time All-Star
By Adam Taylor
Grading the proposed Charlotte Hornets/Golden State Warriors trade
On paper, the trade makes far more sense for the Golden State Warriors than it does for the Charlotte Hornets. Hayward’s fit is far clearer than what Paul’s is. However, if they do trade Hayward, Charlotte will be losing one of their most senior players and will need to replace his locker room leadership.
That’s where Paul’s value truly comes into play for the Hornets.
The inclusion of two second-round picks also helps sweeten the deal for Charlotte. As such, if there is little interest from elsewhere around the NBA, and Mitch Kupchak wants to ensure he gets some form of return on Hayward, a deal that sends Paul to Charlotte isn’t the worst idea in the world.
However, Paul’s arrival would almost certainly mean that Rozier would need to move on, as there simply aren’t enough touches to go around three ball-dominant guards in the same rotation. With the amount of questions that would arise and the need for additional moves, the trade can’t be seen as a home run.
I would grade this trade as a B-.