[The following submission is from the Charlotte Hornets, run by students in the mock deadline practicum at the SBC Las Vegas Immersive.]

Assignment: Charlotte Hornets

Team Members: Ray O’Keeffe, Grant Curry, Zachary Janisse, Rafael Otoro, Adam Beladtz

With glimpses of a strong developing team, we understood that we would be challenged to push forward and carry some of the momentum built last season. The goal was to make Charlotte a more-attractive landing spot for stars.

The Hornets faced particular challenges, notably legal issues facing both Miles Bridges and Montrezl Harrell. We planned accordingly and strategically chose to re-tooling with the following priorities:

  1. Build around LaMelo Ball.
  2. Get out of undesired contracts.
  3. Aim for DeAndre Ayton to establish a young and exciting duo with Ball.
  4. Add strong, veteran talent for the young locker room.
  5. Continue with our push for the playoffs.

With our staff aligned on our goals, we considered various paths and offers. Ultimately we were pleased with the results. We acquired Ayton and veterans like Harrison Barnes, Malik Beasley and Richaun Holmes.

 

 

With several future picks retained, we allow young talented prospects to help in our mission. We shaped Charlotte into a more-exciting landing spot for superstars with a bright future ahead in the exciting point guard/center duo of Ball/Ayton.

Trade 1

  • Charlotte received Deandre Ayton via sign-and-trade on a four-year, $133 million contract.
  • Phoenix Suns received PJ Washington, Terry Rozier, James Bouknight, a 2023 Denver Nuggets first-rounder (top-14 protected through 2025, else 2025 and 2026 second-rounder) and a 2027 first-rounder (the first-allowable after the Hornets’ previous obligation to the San Antonio Spurs.

Trade 2

  • Charlotte received Malik Beasley.
  • Utah received Mason Plumlee, JT Thor, Nick Richards and a 2024 New York Knicks second-rounder.

Trade 3

  • Charlotte received Buddy Hield.
  • Indiana received Gordon Hayward (via cap room) and a 2029 first-rounder.

Trade 4

  • Charlotte received Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes.
  • Sacramento received Buddy Hield, Mark Williams and a 2025 second-rounder.

Other

  • Re-signed Isaiah Thomas to a two-year minimum contract (team option in the second year).
  • Re-signed Montrezl Harrell to a one-year $10,490,000 contract via the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
  • Signed Ben McLemore to a one-year $4,015,000 contract via the bi-annual exception.

– Ray O’Keeffe