3 Hornets trades with the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

2. Santi Aldama

Like the Chicago Bulls, the Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly hoping to trade up in this year’s draft to draft UConn big man Donovan Clingan, who is fresh off of winning two National Championships in college.

Clingan’s presence in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt would be ideal, as he would likely pair perfectly alongside former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.

This is a simple deal all around. In exchange for the Grizzlies moving up three spots in the draft, and into a position to select Clingan, the Charlotte Hornets would get Santi Aldama.

Aldama is only 23 years old and just enjoyed the best season of his career as Memphis was marred with injuries and suffered a very tough setback season.

Alongside the likes of Grant Williams, Brandon Miller, and the rest of Charltot’s forwards, Aldama would provide them with quality defense and floor-spacing, all at 6-foot-11.

Plus, they would likely still be in range to select a majority of the prospects they were looking at with the sixth pick in the draft. Guys like Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, Providence’s Devin Carter, and G League Ignite’s Ron Holland could all be available at pick nine.

On the flip side, while the Grizzlies may not want to part ways with Aldama, this would be a fairly simple way for them to move up in the draft in hopes of taking Clingan.

Obviously, the Grizzlies would almost certainly wait to make a deal like this until they are sure Clingan would be available at pick six, but if he is, this deal could benefit both sides.