Bradley + Turner + #28 for Lance Stephenson + #9
Charlotte reportedly wanted to trade Stephenson and add shooting. Well, for them this trade accomplishes both, and Bradley has longer and cheaper contract than Stephenson. Also, Bradley + MKG pairing might be very disruptive defensively. And all "character issues" associated with Stephenson would be gone with him. With #28 they might even be able to get a backup for Jefferson (Dakari Johnson, for example) or add more shooting - it is really up to them. Turner is just a fill-in to clear a roster spot for us and shed 1M of salary for next year (helpful for free agency).
For us, it gives us an ideal shooting guard to pair with Smart (a guard who can also handle the ball because Marcus' handle is far from perfect, defend, and rebound). If Stephenson does not return to his Indiana form then we'll just have to suck up two years of his contract or trade him using our lesser picks. I will not even going to describe benefits of #9 for us as there is no consensus on who we should target (in my opinion Hezonja - highest potential at 9, gamble, but worth it).
Bradley would be missed, but he can be replaced, either thorough the draft or free agency (or play crowder at sg, give young some minutes - choose whatever floats your boat) - that is assuming Stephenson plays badly.
The problem is why would the Hornets trade their 9th pick, and Stephenson for Bradley, and Turner? Think about it. Does it make sense for the Hornets to give up a lottery pick for Bradley, and Turner; just to get rid of what you just described as, 'a contract we could just suck up for two years?'
So why can't the same concept apply to Hornets? Stephenson sucks? Oh well, either move him for protected picks, or let him mope on the bench. Bradley doesn't lure teams with assets, because Bradley doesn't have a high trade value. Players like Bradley are pretty easy to find, especially since Danny Green, Wesley Matthews, and a few others are going to be offering their services in FA.
If we wanted their 9th pick, this is what we would have to send out.
AB+ Turner, 2015 Celtics 1st round pick, Clippers 2015 1st round pick, 2015 Celtics 2nd rounder, and Memphis 1st round 2018, conditional future pick.
Think that's a lot? I don't think its enough. Anything below 10th pick in my opinion for this draft is going to ask for a lot, because this draft class is loaded in many positions. Hornets would be foolish to give up their pick for AB, and a low first round pick. Turner would net us a 2nd round pick from a team willing to take a risk on him, but Turner has no trade value except cap filler.
