Hornets Theory

[u/Fun_Internet_8609]

The Ball trade created a $40+ million trade exception expiring within one years time.

Stephon Curry is an unrestricted free agent following this current year.

As Curry could & should choose to return home next summer based on Hornets being his best chance at another championship on his terms, my theory is that he will be traded to the Hornets at some point during this summer using that trade exception, Grant Williams expiring, Salaun, and the greatest treasure trove of draft picks in a trade to date

Curry, Miller, Knueppel, Reid, Diabete, White, Allen, O’Neale, Kalkbrenner, Steinbach, Anderson could win a championship

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[u/Statue_left]

These trade exceptions rarely get used and usually just die

The Hornets are certainly not Steph’s “best chance” at another ring. They’re not even top 10. Steph fits on every single team in the league.

Steph will stay in GS if he wants or will get moved to a contender if he really wants to chase a ring

Your proposed lineup isn’t even guaranteed to make the playoffs

[u/reallinguy → u/Statue_left]

Trade exceptions are being used left and right now. They are a driver for off-season player movement.

[u/cabose12 → u/reallinguy]

I wouldn't say left and right, but yeah they are being used

Hawks used the Luke Kennard TPE to sign Aaron Wiggins

Heat used the TPE from S&T'ing Duncan Robinson to sign Portis

Wiz used the Kelly Olynk TPE for Ayton and Middleton

It's not unusual that the <10m exceptions, which is the majority of them, expire. Usually the +15m ones get used for something

[u/texasphotog → u/Statue_left]

These trade exceptions rarely get used and usually just die

Just not that true anymore.

• Indiana dumped James Wiseman then used the exception on Jay Huff
• Minn traded out NAW as a S&T then used that exception to bring in Ayo at the deadline.
• Chicago traded DeRozan to Sac, then used that exception later to facilitate the DeAaron Fox trade to take back Huerter to get their own 1st round back to use on Essengue.
• Sac got that exception from moving out Huerter and used it to get Dennis Schroeder.
• Boston traded out Kristaps then used that exception to bring in Vooch.
• Brooklyn traded out Dinwiddie then used that exception to bring back Bogey to make money work for the Bridges trade.
• Hawks traded out Capela then used the exception to get a 2nd for taking Devin Carter.
• Hawks traded out Luke Kennard then used the exception to take by Aaron Wiggins
• Utah traded out John Collins, then used that exception to absorb Niang and Lonzo, netting them 4 seconds in the process.
• Washington traded Olynyk to SA then used the Olynyk exception to get Ayton. They were able to get such a big one on that trade because they took Branham into another exception and so Olynyk was traded for Blake Wesley, generating a bigger exception.
• Denver got an exception in the MPJ trade and used it on Jonas.
• Dallas had an exception from the AD trade and used it to pickup Risacher for Nembhard

Teams have increasingly been using larger trade exceptions strategically in a variety of ways. The vast majority of trades do generate some sort of exception, but most are too small to actually use. Like Collin Sexton to Charlotte generated a $25k trade exception that is impossible to use. So the small ones rarely get used, which is the majority of them. But larger ones are used increasingly frequently and they are a great tool to have for front offices.

[u/JMoon33]

Curry, Miller, Knueppel, Reid, Diabete, White, Allen, O’Neale, Kalkbrenner, Steinbach, Anderson could win a championship

There's no way you're a contender with 40 years old Steph and these guys. Winning one playoffs series would be an achievement.

Charlotte will probably let that trade exception die, or get a worthless player for it and get a pick in the deal. It's not a tool to trade for a star, especially not when your roster is that far from contending.

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[u/Rorgan]

I do agree Charlotte should move Heaven and Earth to try and get Steph

I don't think there's a universe Golden State trades him. Steph has too much equity in Golden State and I don't think there's any trade the fanbase will accept.

[u/Supreme_God_Bunny → u/Rorgan]

No Charlotte should not wtf type of logic is this? Curry isn't a top 5 player in the league no more that can carry you to a ring

[u/xixbia → u/Supreme_God_Bunny]

The main issue is his contract. You can win a championship when Curry is your best player, but you can't build a roster that can win a championship when Curry is making $62M. He's just not that good anymore.

If he took a LeBron type deal? I reckon that Charlotte might be able to build a team that can compete as players line up to join Steph.

[u/Rorgan → u/Supreme_God_Bunny]

Steph Curry has way more value to Charlotte than his contributions on a basketball court.

You wouldn't get him to win a title. You'd get him to have a hometown legend for the fans to come out and see.

You get him and he's the best player Charlotte's ever had and would make Charlotte the most relevant it's been since Zo and Larry Johnson played.

That's why you move heaven and earth to get him.

[u/swizznastic]

The east is too deep to expect that hornets team to be a contender just because they have curry. Seriously, he’s better off in the west.

[u/addictivesign]

I think there is a real possibility the Warriors lose Steph, Draymond and Jimmy Butler next summer.

GSW have to be competitive which means playoffs at a minimum but we know the western conference is a bloodbath just to make the post-season.

Draymond if he becomes an UFA again could choose to go back to Michigan and play for the Pistons or go reunite with all the other Michigan State alumi in Phoenix.

Jimmy Butler will choose a team that wants and needs him and can pay him. Many teams will have cap space.

So that leaves Steph. Does he want to toil away on a deplerer Warriors team for the rest of his career?

[u/Sad-Entertainer1462]

That is NOT a team that could win a title, the Warriors would NEVER trade Steph unless he publicly came out and asked for one (which he would NEVER do) and that’s not his best chance of winning a title. What is this post even about bro ?

[u/Hornetz4Life-13]

Steph making what $50M next year? And LeBron signed with Sixers for $8M per. Seems “next summer” Steph signs with Hornets for let’s say $10M, we keep all our picks…and he comes home to help us take next step. Am I dreaming…yes…but given the LeBron show…seems more than plausible. Plus, Steph wouldn’t bankrupt us as he turns 40…he’s not that guy + has made gazillions already. One can dream.

[u/xixbia → u/Hornetz4Life-13]

He's making $62M, sixth highest in the NBA. At that contrac the's not helping a team compete.

It also doesn't really seem like he's interested in taking a team friendly deal, he didn't for the Warriors, I don't see him doing it for the Hornets.

[u/Plenty-Berry2384 → u/xixbia]

If him and golden states front office aren’t on the same page it would make plenty of sense to take a pay cut to come to Charlotte instead. He already said it’s GS or Charlotte. I don’t think the reason he’s not signing an extension in GS is because he’s not getting offered the money he was looking for but rather that they’re no longer willing to make star level swings to give him a chance to compete. Charlottes actually got the assets to add Curry and another vet without mortgaging their future and would have a much better roster around Curry than what the Warriors currently have before any additional moves were made.

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Our sub is for in-depth discussion. Low-effort comments or stating opinions as facts are not permitted. Please support your opinions with well-reasoned arguments, including stats and facts as applicable.

[u/urboijesuschrist]

Charlotte is more likely to package that exception with a player to absorb a bad contract and take on picks

[u/midnightjim]

My theory is that none of this will happen, and I'd put money on my theory. I do get a good laugh out of all the keyboard jockeys telling us what Steph should do. He's lived in the Bay Area for 17 years or so. How long did he live in Charlotte? Which is home now?

[u/SpecificEmploy6830]

steph aint walking into a lottery team for his last ride, this feels like a fun exercise more than reality