If the Hornets are really shopping the 10

[Peezo]

The realgm headline that reads "Hornets Could Shop 10th Pick As Means Of Clearing Cap Space" has me intrigued because the two players they are talking about could potentially help this team. If the Hornets are truly looking for cap relief and not necessarily a star player (or our 18th pick), what would it take to get a deal done?

They want to move Ariza's 15 mi over two years and Okafors 27 million for 2 years. Now obviously Emeka is being overpaid at this point in his career, but he could actually be a player that helps us immediately. I wouldn't mind him as our third big and he would come off the books in time to pay our core.

Ariza on the other hand is a more interesting case because he is actually a cheaper option than Beasley at the three, probably a better defender than Wes, reasonably paid (I guess) and already played for Adelman. The two year commitment to him wouldn't bother me at all if it also meant bringing on the 10th pick in this draft.

The questions for me are first, is it both players or no dice? And how serious are they about trading the pick?

Would they consider something like Martell + 18 for Ariza + 10?
For the less desirable Okafor would they do something like Okafor + 10 for Miller, Martell, Wes?

If it had to be both, I'd probably say don't do it because we'd have no flexibility this summer, but I'd still consider it because suddenly we have a couple big trade chips next year with an expiring 20 mil between those two players.

Ariza and Okafor + 10 for Martell, Miller, Darko, Wes, 18 might work for them. I"d be happy to unload Wesley's 4 mil for Ariza at 3 mil more for two seasons.

Ricky / JJ / Lee
10 / Luke /Ellington
Ariza / FA
Love / Derrick Williams
Pek / Okafor

We'd be right around the cap with around 57-60 mil (not sure about a cap hold for the 10 pick) so this would essentially be the team. I think we'd have added the vets Adelman wanted and be a playoff team next year.

I'd be all for going after Gordon, but I think they want money because they are going to match whatever it costs to pay him. I would love to add the 10 and have a shot at a future impact 2 while also adding a realistic piece to this team at the 3 and/or backup 4/5. If we were to add say Lamb and Ariza to our wings I'd be stoked. To me, these are realistically the type of players we can add to improve our squad and would only affect the books guaranteed for 1 year before their deals actually become trade assets.

[Foye]

Maybe something along the lines of #18 and Anthony Randolph for #10 and Ariza.

Not willing to offer much more, though.

[eyeteeth]

I can see something like this going down. I guess I trust Kahn to keep the salaries in check. Primarily, though, I figure we don't want both Okafor and Ariza. Also, if possible, try to get them to take Wes off our hands.

[Foye]

Okafor is a deal breaker, IMO. Don't want him.

[Krapinsky]

Less Johnson for Ariza + 10.

[Klomp]

Less Johnson for Ariza + 10.

Wait, what?

[cpfsf]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
Draft buzz: Hearing that teams calling Hornets being told that it'll take more to get No. 10 pick than taking on Ariza or Okafor contract

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
And yes, sounds like Hornets are willing to move their 10th pick. But you'd better give them a starting-caliber point guard in return.

I don’t think Ridnour fits that criteria, so I’m assuming Minnesota would have to ship out #18 or Johnson instead. Just say no to Okafor.

[Krapinsky]

Less Johnson for Ariza + 10.

Wait, what?

I don't follow.

[Esohny]

Less Johnson for Ariza + 10.

Wait, what?

I don't follow.

I don't think he understood your wordplay with Wes Johnson's name that references his awful game.

[C.lupus]

I think he got that. He probably didn't get why Less Johnson in any way could net us the #10 pick by himself.

[[RCG]]

Webster + Miller + Johnson + Ridnour for Okafor + Ariza + #10

Take Terrence Ross at #10
Trade #18 & #58 to Cleveland for #24 & #34
Take Jeff Taylor at #24
Take Jared Cunningham at #34

Rubio/Barea/Lee
Ross/Cunningham/Ellington
Taylor/Ariza
Love/Williams
Pekovic/Okafor

Could re-sign Beasley or Randolph...?

[theGreatRC]

If a 2nd round pick is our starting SF next season, I will convert to Thunderism.

[Narf]

If a 2nd round pick is our starting SF next season, I will convert to Thunderism.

Parsons is a 2nd round pick

[the_bruce]

I'd do some combo of..

Webster, Miller, Darko, Ellington(or wes) for oka, ariza, 10

Rivers or Lamb at #10

I'd probably grab White at #18. I usually don't like guys that can't shoot, but now that White has come around mentally and dealt with his problems I just love how his game translates into the NBA. He's got the same basic physical measurements as LBJ/Dwill and he has a good handle with passing ability. High upside pick.

Pek\Oka
Love\White
Ariza\Dwill\Wes
Rivers\Luke\Wes
Rubio\JJ\Lee

[rick_21]

This is a nonsense discussion for me.

It's impossible that Kahn agrres to take on Okafor and his big contract, probably Ariza, but definitely not both. And the Hornets are not giving away the #10 pick only to clear Ariza's contract off the books.

I can't see a deal here.

[Klomp]

I think he got that. He probably didn't get why Less Johnson in any way could net us the #10 pick by himself.

Thank you.

[Krapinsky]

I think he got that. He probably didn't get why Less Johnson in any way could net us the #10 pick by himself.

Thank you.

Then I still don't follow. The report was that they wanted to ditch Ariza using the #10 but wanted a little something more. I figured Wes would give them a cheaper replacement for Ariza, someone that might be viewed around the league as still having some upside. Ridnour would also be a option.

[Klomp]

I think he got that. He probably didn't get why Less Johnson in any way could net us the #10 pick by himself.

Thank you.

Then I still don't follow. The report was that they wanted to ditch Ariza using the #10 but wanted a little something more. I figured Wes would give them a cheaper replacement for Ariza, someone that might be viewed around the league as still having some upside. Ridnour would also be a option.

So you think that Less Johnson could get you a top 10 pick AND a starting SF?

[cpfsf]

While those assets may not be untouchable, I suspect that this rumor was based on nothing. Ariza is slightly overpaid, but not so much that the team needs to toss in the tenth pick to get rid of him. The team is way under the cap and they need draft picks.

[Krapinsky]

Thank you.

Then I still don't follow. The report was that they wanted to ditch Ariza using the #10 but wanted a little something more. I figured Wes would give them a cheaper replacement for Ariza, someone that might be viewed around the league as still having some upside. Ridnour would also be a option.

So you think that Less Johnson could get you a top 10 pick AND a starting SF?

I think, and I think NOH agrees, that Ariza has negative trade value. Calling him a "starting SF" doesn't really change my mind. Wes is a "starting SF".