AnAssociated Press source has indicatedthat the Charlotte Hornets will trade former Tar Heel centerBrendan Haywoodand newly minted second round pick power forwardDwight Powellto the Cleveland Cavaliers for wingAlonzo Gee.
Why this Trade Works for the Hornets
Haywood was due to make $ 2 million this season and likely not play very much since the Hornets drafted Indiana forwardNoah Vonlehwith the ninth pick. Vonleh’s minutes at the four spot would likely have forcedCody Zellerto pick up more minutes at the center spot behindAl Jefferson. That would leave few minutes left between Haywood andBismack Biyombo, and the Hornets are still committed to developing a young Biyombo.
More from Charlotte Hornets
- Charlotte Hornets: Return would have provided valuable experience
- Charlotte Hornets: Regrading the 2010 NBA Draft
- Charlotte Hornets win what could be final game of the season
- Charlotte Hornets: Tank now or buzz towards the playoffs?
- Charlotte Hornets travel to face Pistons with focus on the future
Gee is an athletic wing who fits with the Steve Clifford defensive mentality. He would come off the bench. He is basically an insurance policy oninjured forward Jeff Taylor, still recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture. If Taylor comes back on schedule to man the backup minutes behindMichael Kidd-Gilchrist, then Gee might not be on the roster when the season starts. Gee’s contract is not guaranteed for the upcoming season, so there is no penalty for cutting him for cap room.
In a way this might have just been a creative way to get Haywood’s contract off the books without cutting him, thus freeing up more cap room.This is not the first Hornets trade this off-season and I doubt it will be the last.
FanSided
Why this Trade Works for the Cavs (and Brendan Haywood)
Cleveland needs defense and that is what Haywood provides. Some believe the reason that the Cavs tookAndrew WigginsoverJabari Parkerwas defensive skill. Haywood can be the rim protector off the bench that they are missing right now. Haywood and Powell’s combined deals, assuming they keep Powell, will still likely cost less than the $ 3 million that Gee would have made next year.
With Gee traded andLuol Denga free agent, the Cavs have opened up space at small forward where wing Andrew Wiggins would naturally slot. Of course there is another small forward that could potentially fill that space too,LeBron James, but I don’t think that is likely. Trading Gee gives the Cavs flexibility to fit Wiggins and whatever they might do withAnthony Bennett.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations