The Hornets are a good team that just needs a bit more help. Here they get some better fits, while not really giving up many assets.
Trade 1: Trade PF Jalen McDaniels and the 55th pick for C Willie Cauley-Stein
The Hornets lose Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller in this scenario, so they need a center. The Mavericks already have so many bigs that they can play (Porzingis, Kleber, Powell, Marjanovic, and now McDaniels) so they are willing to trade Carley-Stein. He gives the hornets needed shot blocking and rebounding.
Trade 2: Sign and Trade PG Devonte’ Graham to the Detroit Pistons for SF Josh Jackson
The Hornets are probably going to lose Graham in free agency as they already have Rozier and LaMelo. They try to get something for him here. The Pistons in this scenario draft Jalen Green, so they don’t really need another wing in Jackson. The Pistons now have a perfect 4 guard rotation for the future in Hayes, Smith Jr, Graham, and Lee. They also don’t lose any wing depth as they have Green, Bey, Grant, and Doumbouya.
Trade 3: Trade PF PJ Washington for C Naz Reid, PF Jake Layman, and a 2025 Lottery protected 1st
The Wolves need a defensive minded 4 next to KAT, and I think Washington can be just that. This opens up a chance to take Cade Cunningham and have an elite lineup of Cade-DLo-Edwards-Washington-KAT. The Hornets get a 2nd center that they can rotate equally in with Cauley-Stein.
FA Signings:
Sign PF Doug McDermott to a 3 year, 27 million dollar deal
He offers scoring and creation off the bench for a depleted Hornets bench
Sign SG Garrett Temple to a 1 year, 5.3 million dollar deal
He offers 3+D ability off the bench as a great player and leader
Drafted Players
Select Ayo Dosunmu with the 15th pick
Get a leader who can handle the ball and be a creator off the bench, and eventually be the SG next to LaMelo once Rozier leaves
Select Isaiah Livers with the 55th pick via Brooklyn
Get a college veteran who is a great shooter at either forward position. Makes Jake Layman expendable eventually as a versatile forward
Rotation
PG LaMelo Ball (32 minutes) — SG Terry Rozier (31 minutes) — SF Miles Bridges (29 minutes) — PF Gordon Hayward (32 minutes) — C Naz Reid(24 minutes)
Bench of G Ayo Dosunmu (17 minutes) — G Garrett Temple (11 minutes) — F Josh Jackson (20 minutes)— F Doug McDermott (20 minutes) — C Willie Cauley Stein (24 minutes)
Isaiah Livers, Jake Layman and the Martin Twins would fill in when injuries occur/garbage time
What do you think? Hornets fans, do you like this? Also what team should I do next?