Cavs, Hornets set up for major blockbuster trade
Following the 2018 NBA Draft, one thing is almost crystal clear: the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets are set up perfectly for a blockbuster trade.
Over the last few days, the Cleveland Cavaliers have continued to be at the forefront of trade rumors, yet the most likely scenario where they keep their pick and analyze their position following the draft was the one that actually happened.
However, just a few hundred miles down the road, the Charlotte Hornets have been not so silently blowing their team up. They traded Dwight Howard for a few second rounds picks and Timofey Mozgov. They’ve done this to clear cap, enhance their culture, and allow their younger players to showcase their skill.
That’s where the Cavs-Hornets scenario stood coming into the draft night. While rumors had been swirling, it hadn’t seemed like an actual proposal had been reported. That didn’t stop Charlotte from making significant trades on draft night.
Needless to say, prior to the draft, Charlotte seemed enamored with both Collin Sexton and Shai Gilegous-Alexander. Well, the Cavaliers drafted Sexton with the No. 8 pick. The Hornets got their desired player with the No. 11 pick, drafting SGA.
Quickly after, the Hornets traded for Bridges, sending away SGA and a few second rounds. Oddly enough, Bridges was drafted No. 12. The Hornets could’ve just drafted Bridges at No. 11 if they wanted him badly enough. Instead, they might get their point guard through the Cavaliers. Maybe.
That said, let’s recap.
The Hornets got the point guard many thought they wanted yet traded him away, securing a capable small forward. Interesting.
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On top of the Hornets trading for a small forward, the rumored trade scenarios that have featured Charlotte and Cleveland have also generally included Nicolas Batum, Charlotte’s starting small forward who signed a 5-year, $120 million contract and still has four years remaining.
This perfectly set up the Cleveland Cavaliers to deal Sexton, Hill, and Tristan Thompson for Walker and Batum, getting Cleveland their star while clear Charlotte of a long and unneeded contract.
For Charlotte, they replenish their frontcourt, get their desired guard in Sexton, and take on Hill’s contract. Hill, who signed a huge contract last offseason, is due to just $1 million in his last contractual season, the 2019-2020 season.
As for Cleveland, they bring a developed point guard to Cleveland. The ball is in the Cavs court. They must make a move to replace the lost production for trading James’ superstar teammate Kyrie Irving.
James and the Cavaliers were one solid piece away from actually competing with Golden State this season, but with an offense as predictable as Kevin Durant‘s burner accounts, the Cavaliers need change.
At the end of the day, the 2018 NBA Draft set both teams up for this NBA-shaking trade. The Cavaliers return to the beasts of the East again while Charlotte can start a full rebuild.
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It seems too perfect not to happen.