Mock Trade: Hornets Get Five Firsts from Pelicans

Projecting what a blockbuster trade may look like for the No. 2 overall pick.

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to trade up into the top three of the 2023 NBA Draft Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Monday.

With that news coming out, we formulated a mock trade between the Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets centered around the No. 2 pick and Brandon Ingram, and also one centered around Zion Williamson earlier this week.

Today, we'll be doing the same but with the deal mainly centered around draft picks.

What Charlotte is getting:

Currently, the Hornets don't have a first-round pick in next year's draft. That changes and all of a sudden they have TWO thanks to Milwaukee and Los Angeles, who made previous deals with the Pelicans. On top of that, the Hornets acquire No. 14 in this year's draft along with a top 10 protected 2027 first and a top 5 protected 2029 first. Trey Murphy is the only player involved in this deal. The Durham, NC native is a younger version of Kelly Oubre Jr. and has more upside. This move not only gives the Hornets a bundle of firsts but it also stabilizes their bench.

What New Orleans is getting:

The Pelicans would be thrilled to hold on to both Zion Williamson Brandon Ingram while acquiring the No. 2 pick in the draft. This gives the Pelicans a real opportunity to compete in Western Conference immediately with Scoot Henderson leading at the point. In addition, the Pelicans get No. 27 from the Hornets. This is a pricey deal for New Orleans but one I think they would be willing to do in order to keep all of their key pieces. 

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