We have another trade in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Charlotte Hornets selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at #11 and traded his rights to the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Miles Bridges (#12). The Clippers will also send two future second-round picks to Charlotte.
From the Hornets perspective, this trade does a few things. Owner Michael Jordan is clearly trying to manage the luxury tax. By essentially moving down to #12 in the draft, that’s what the trade does, the Hornets save about $170k vs the tax. It also appears as though the Hornets want to add young players with manageable contracts. Yes, they did just acquire Timofey Mozgov and his massive contract with 2 years and $32M remaining. But, they had to get Dwight Howard out of the locker room. Malik Monk is a young player with potential and Kemba Walker is a valuable piece, that could be used in a trade.
For the Clippers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tremendous upside and developing in that organization with Doc Rivers and good veterans should help him achieve his full potential. The Clippers added Jerome Robinson at 13 so it looks like a rebuild is on in LA. DeAndre Jordan is a valuable player and could be used in a trade, plus they will have cap space to potentially sign a big-time free agent.