The Hornets are in a very important offseason in team history, having lost the playoffs for the second straight season and missing out on the playoffs, but overall, 2021-22 was a very successful season for the Hornets.
Because of this, the Hornets need to make a move this offseason and complete the reinforcement, and they need to build a better lineup around Lamelo Ball, only in this case can they hit the playoffs again in the new season.
Recently, there have been rumors that the Hornets are interested in Lakers All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, but the Lakers are interested in Hornets backcourt Terry Rozier. So what plan can the Hornets do to send Rozier to the Lakers? US media Kenneth Tip proposed the following two transaction plans:
Scenario 1:
The Lakers get: Terry Rozier
Hornets: Taren Horton Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Wernion Gabriel, 2027 first-round picks (protected with the first 12 picks)
Scenario two:
The Lakers got: Terry Rozier, Kyrie Junior Oubrey, Mason Plumlee
The Hornets received: Russell Westbrook, 2027 first-round picks, 2029 first-round picks
In the above two plans, the Lakers need to sacrifice some chips to get Rozier, and at least the 2027 first-round pick is an asset that must be sacrificed. The biggest difference between the two deals is whether to send Russell Westbrook, and in the chip of plan two, the Lakers sent Westbrook and two future first-round picks to return rozier, Oubre and Plumlee is still a very good move.
As for option one, the Lakers' deal with the Hornets without sending Westbrook seems to have little significance.
Overall, the Lakers can still try to push a deal with the Hornets, especially if they can get rid of Westbrook.