RealGM

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ATL GETS: Protections on 2026 SAC 1st changed from top 10 protected to top 4 protected
ATL GIVES: Agrees that SAC no longer owes ATL their 2026 & 2027 2nds if their 2026 SAC 1st doesn’t convey to ATL
WHY FOR ATL? When the Kings traded for Huerter, they gave ATL a protected 1st round pick. It has not conveyed yet and is top 12 protected in 2025 and top 10 protected in 2026. If the pick doesn’t convey in 2026, ATL gets SAC’s 2026 and 2027 2nd round picks as a consolation prize. With the Kings below .500 and currently not in the play-in picture, it’s possible that ATL could not end up with one of SAC’s 1sts (2025 or 2026). By changing the protection on the 2026 1st from top 10 protected to top 4 protected, it makes it a very high likelihood that ATL will receive a 1st from SAC. In order to improve their odds of having that 1st convey, ATL agrees to forgo their consolation prize of the 2026 & 2027 SAC 2nds.

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CHA GETS: Kevin Huerter, Jordan McLaughlin, Doug McDermott, 2026 SAC 2nd, 2027 SAC 2nd, & 2029 SAC 2nd
CHA GIVES: Grant Williams, Cody Martin, & Nick Richards
WHY FOR CHA? The Hornets currently have the 4th worst record. They sell off some of their “older” roleplaying vets for 3 2nd round picks to add to their rebuild.

PG - Ball / Mann / Micic / McLaughlin
SG - Green / Smith / Curry
SF - Miller / Huerter / Jeffries
PF - Bridges / Salaun / McDermott
C - Williams / Diabate / Gibson

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SAC Gets: Grant Williams, Cody Martin, Nick Richards, & the removal of the stipulation that SAC owes ATL their 2026 & 2027 2nds if their 2026 1st doesn’t convey to ATL
SAC Gives: Kevin Huerter, Jordan McLaughlin, Doug McDermott, Protections on 2026 SAC 1st changed from top 10 protected to top 4 protected, 2026 SAC 2nd, 2027 SAC 2nd, & 2029 SAC 2nd
Why for SAC? The Kings avoid sending out a future 1st (considering Fox’s future is a bit unknown), but rebalance the roster by moving Huerter for a player who can help defend some wings/forwards (Martin) and some more help at the backup C spot. Although he’s out the rest of the year, Williams gives them a solid, low usage 3&D forward on a decent contract that can be a nice rotation piece next year.

PG - Fox / Monk
SG - Ellis / Carter / Jones
SF - DeRozan / Martin / Crowder
PF - Murray / Lyles / Williams
C - Sabonis / Richards / Len

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Nick Smith Jr. has emerged in Charlotte. In his limited play across his rookie year and this season, he is shooting threes at 42.5%. Huerter is not enough of an upgrade to the roster to block NSJ at their given earnings. Smith Jr. was taken late 1st round, so he makes nothing. And he's only 20.

Hornets also already have 14 picks in the 2nd round. So, if they add more by trading Martin and Nick Richards, they should do it for expiring contracts. They don't need 2nd round picks badly enough to take on negative contracts.

Does this put Sacramento into tax?

i was honestly really liking what Grant was doing for us before his injury, but who knows if he's ever able to get back to that.

I think we'd probably be able to get 3 2nds parting these guys out individually without having to take back Huerter. But if we can't, I'd consider this.

Godaddycurse wrote:Does this put Sacramento into tax?

i think it's very close but stays under, i didn't think the trade worked at all till i realized Huerter was making $17M

MasterIchiro wrote:Nick Smith Jr. has emerged in Charlotte. In his limited play across his rookie year and this season, he is shooting threes at 42.5%. Huerter is not enough of an upgrade to the roster to block NSJ at their given earnings. Smith Jr. was taken late 1st round, so he makes nothing. And he's only 20.

How does Huerter block NSJ? He’d be taking the backup SF spot that Martin is playing.

Godaddycurse wrote:Does this put Sacramento into tax?

I believe it puts us into the luxury tax but still under the 1st apron.

bpcox05 wrote:

MasterIchiro wrote:Nick Smith Jr. has emerged in Charlotte. In his limited play across his rookie year and this season, he is shooting threes at 42.5%. Huerter is not enough of an upgrade to the roster to block NSJ at their given earnings. Smith Jr. was taken late 1st round, so he makes nothing. And he's only 20.

How does Huerter block NSJ? He’d be taking the backup SF spot that Martin is playing.

The Hornets need to upgrade Josh Green in the starting lineup, so when they do Green will play SF in place of Martin.

MasterIchiro wrote:

bpcox05 wrote:

MasterIchiro wrote:Nick Smith Jr. has emerged in Charlotte. In his limited play across his rookie year and this season, he is shooting threes at 42.5%. Huerter is not enough of an upgrade to the roster to block NSJ at their given earnings. Smith Jr. was taken late 1st round, so he makes nothing. And he's only 20.

How does Huerter block NSJ? He’d be taking the backup SF spot that Martin is playing.

The Hornets need to upgrade Josh Green in the starting lineup, so when they do Green will play SF in place of Martin.

And until that happens, he’s not blocked, right?

bpcox05 wrote:

MasterIchiro wrote:

bpcox05 wrote:How does Huerter block NSJ? He’d be taking the backup SF spot that Martin is playing.

The Hornets need to upgrade Josh Green in the starting lineup, so when they do Green will play SF in place of Martin.

And until that happens, he’s not blocked, right?

Depends on who we draft in the lottery.

Bottom line is with 14 2nds on hand, we don't have a need for them to any extent where we take back a negative contract.