Five Draft Night Trades the Hornets Should Consider

Brooklyn, Washington, New Orleans, Philly, and Orlando: The Most Likely Trade Paths

It’s that magical time of year again—NBA Draft Week—where GMs are talking to everyone, no one, and possibly themselves. Rumors are flying faster than Ramon Sessions’ first step. Teams are reportedly moving up, down, sideways, backward, and maybe even entering the multiverse to secure their top target.

There's smoke. So much smoke. Will the Hornets trade up? Will they trade down? Will they trade up and down? I wouldn’t rule it out. Who knows. All we can do is look at the trade machine and figure out what makes sense for both teams. I’ve broken down five potential draft night trades that could be in play for the Charlotte Hornets.

Trade up with Philadelphia

If the reports about Charlotte’s strong interest in VJ Edgecombe are accurate, there’s a clear incentive for both the Hornets and Sixers to explore a deal to swap first-round picks.

From Charlotte’s perspective, it’s a chance to secure their top target—a player who fits their needs not just in terms of position and skillset, but also mentality. Edgecombe checks the boxes of what the Hornets seem to value: a tough, two-way wing who embodies what could be described as “Hornets DNA.”

The cost? Manageable. Moving up one spot would likely mean parting with one of their early second-rounders (they hold two), absorbing $3.4 million of Eric Gordon’s contract, who’d presumably be bought out, and then sending their own 2029 second-rounder to Philly. That’s a relatively low price considering Charlotte already owns Phoenix’s and Denver’s seconds in 2029.

I personally would be hesitant to move up. However, I understand the reasoning, especially if the Hornets are focused on building around LaMelo Ball’s specific needs. Edgecombe’s defensive energy and slashing skills could complement LaMelo effectively. In my opinion, scenarios where Charlotte would give up a future first-round pick or even additional second-round picks to move up would be excessive.

Trade Back with Washington

If the Wizards are locked in on landing Ace Bailey or Jeremiah Fears, they may need to leapfrog Utah to get their guy. That likely means moving up, and Charlotte could be the ideal trade partner at No. 6.

The 18th pick is a hefty price to pay for Washington, especially since they don't pick again until 40. But if Charlotte sends back an early second-rounder this year plus a future second, the value would be more balanced. It’s the kind of deal that hinges on how aggressive the Wizards want to be and how much separation they see between prospects at 18 and 33.

For Charlotte, this kind of move could be a home run. If they make the trade and still land Kon Knueppel at No. 6 (My 3rd ranked player) while adding a second first-rounder in the process, that's a major win. It gives them high-level talent and added flexibility in a flat draft, all without mortgaging their future.

Trade Back with New Orleans

After agreeing to a recent trade, the Pelicans now hold both the 7th and 23rd picks in this year’s draft. That makes them a far more intriguing trade partner for Charlotte than they were a week ago.

A swap of No. 4 and No. 34 for No. 7 and No. 23 feels like a fair value exchange. Unfortunately, Fanspo’s trade machine hasn’t yet updated to reflect New Orleans' new draft picks, so I had to find another deal for this exercise.

One version that mirrors a structure we discussed on the “Draft Trades” podcast a few weeks ago involves players instead of just picks. The Pelicans are reportedly open to moving Herb Jones and are in need of a veteran center. That opens up a different type of deal: what if Charlotte offered Mark Williams in a swap centered around Herb?

From Charlotte’s perspective, Jones would give them a high-level, versatile defender—someone who can guard multiple positions and even serve as an underrated secondary playmaker. The risk is contractual: Would Jones agree to an extension at $20 million per year? That’s the most Charlotte could offer, given it’s 140% of his $14.9 million salary next season. If not, a two-year rental might not be worth the cost.

Trade Back with Brooklyn

With Jeff Peterson's ties to Brooklyn and a strong relationship with Nets GM Sean Marks, it's not hard to envision the Nets as a logical trade partner for Charlotte. That’s why I believe the Nets are Charlotte’s most likely trade partner on draft night. Brooklyn holds four first-round picks in this year’s draft—more than enough ammo to move up.

Reports have already linked Brooklyn to Ace Bailey, and if that's the guy they want, jumping to No. 4 would be necessary. But moving up four spots won't come cheap. Charlotte would likely demand a future first-rounder in addition to Brooklyn’s pick at 8 to justify dropping back.

If Charlotte were to slide to No. 8 in this scenario, there’s a real risk that Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson, and Jeremiah Fears could all be off the board by then. That would push them into a different tier on my personal board, where two names stand out: Khaman Malauch and Collin Murray-Boyles. Both offer unique upside, though they come with more uncertainty than the higher-tier wings.

Trade Up with Orlando

Every Hornets fan has at some point floated the idea of flipping picks 33 and 34 to move into the late first round. On paper, the combined value of those early second-rounders should land you somewhere in the 24–30 range in most drafts. But this year, several hurdles make that move tricky.

Start with Brooklyn (picks 26 and 27) and Oklahoma City (pick 24)—two teams already loaded with draft assets. It's hard to imagine either being eager to add more second-round picks, especially in a class with uncertain depth. Boston sits at 28 and already owns pick 32, so it’s unlikely they want to cram another rookie contract onto their roster.

Phoenix (29) and the Clippers (30) could be more open to dealing, but moving up just 3–4 spots doesn’t justify giving up both 33 and 34. It would be an overpay in terms of draft equity, and the upside likely wouldn’t match the cost.

That leaves Orlando at No. 25 as the most viable trade partner. With their recent push to contend—highlighted by the Desmond Bane trade—they may be less inclined to keep a guaranteed first-round contract on the books. Sliding back to 34 and adding two future seconds could give them more flexibility to pursue veteran help or swing a future deal.

If the Hornets do make a move into the late first, some names I’d be targeting include Noah Penda, Nique Clifford, Asa Newell, and Drake Powell—prospects with upside and room to grow on a longer developmental timeline.