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Charlotte Hornets: Regrading the 2010 NBA Draft

By Christian Candeloro

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: Stephen Graham #23, Alexis Ajinca #21 and Derrick Brown #4 of the Charlotte Bobcats react during a game with the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: Stephen Graham #23, Alexis Ajinca #21 and Derrick Brown #4 of the Charlotte Bobcats react during a game with the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Trade 2 – Hornets acquire Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Sean Singletary in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and a second-round pick

CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 13: Raja Bell #19 of the Charlotte Bobcats looks at the score board during their game against the Houston Rockets at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 13, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 13: Raja Bell #19 of the Charlotte Bobcats looks at the score board during their game against the Houston Rockets at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 13, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The theme of the 2010 Draft night was that all decisions made on the team’s future were made years before in 2008. The Bobcats traded away both of their picks for aging veterans that would contribute to the team’s playoff run in 2010 but hasten the team’s descent to the bottom of the standings.

The second-round pick was mostly a throw-in piece of the trade, as the Bobcats were looking to shake up their roster after starting very slowly. The move centered around Richardson, the team’s leading scorer and best wing player. Richardson would emerge as the focal point of the Suns offense, leading the team to the Western Conference Finals behind his scoring.

The Bobcats acquired minimal value in return. Bell and Diaw were frustrated in Phoenix and looking for a change of scenery. Bell would play 50 games for the Bobcats before being traded to the Warriors, where he was cut after one game. Singletary played with the aforementioned Ajinça in the D-League and was released in the offseason.

Diaw started every game for the Bobcats for three seasons, averaging a career-high 15.1 point per game in 2008-09. He salvaged what little value the Bobcats received in either trade.

Grade – C-

Overall, the Bobcats turned their two draft picks (along with other players) into several good seasons of Boris Diaw and not a whole lot else. Considering the players that were available to select on the board at the time and the trajectory of the team, having young and high potential players in the building would’ve been preferable to the aging veterans that clogged the roster.

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