The NBA season is just around the corner, and now that Kevin Durant has officially decided to stay in Brooklyn, the rest of the league can finally resume all halted transactions.
Free agency and trades were on hold while Durant and the Nets settled their beef. But now that he and Kyrie Irving are no longer on the trade block let's take a look at other players who could switch sides in the next couple of weeks.
Hornets Want To CompeteThe Charlotte Hornets are in a tough spot right now. They can't make Miles Bridges the offer they wanted because of his domestic assault scandal, and that's a massive blow to their playoff aspirations.
With that in mind, we expect Michael Jordan to be uber-aggressive in his pursuit of a suitable replacement for Bridges. The Hornets can potentially be a perennial playoff team but are still just a couple of pieces away from that.
Pacers Are Rebuilding
With that in mind, we believe the Indiana Pacers could give them a helping hand. In this hypothetical scenario, the Hornets would give up Gordon Hayward, a first-round pick, and two second-round picks in return for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.
The Pacers would gladly accept Hayward's remaining two years, as they know they can buy him out or even flip them in another trade.
Pacers Think Of The Future
The Pacers entered rebuild mode when they traded Domantas Sabonis, and they want to build around their young core of Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and Aaron Nesmith. Things could get worse before they get better, and they're not likely to win many games next season, even with Turner and Hield.
So, adding a first-round pick and two second-rounders while parting way with a player on an expiring contract sure seems like an excellent deal for the Pacers.
Hornets Get Better
Hield is still tied for the long run and is on a team-friendly contract, and is one of the best shooters in the Association. Turner is on an expiring deal, so they could sign him to a big extension to make him the rim protector they've craved for years now.
So, even if the Hornets need to send an additional first-round pick, this trade would still be worth it if they manage to re-sign Turner in the offseason, and LaMelo Ball would finally have the core he needs around him to lead them all the way.
]]>The Inquisitr
