NBA Trades: Why the Charlotte Hornets should trade for Donovan Mitchell

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 22: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives into Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 22, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah, NBA Trades: Why the Charlotte Hornets should trade for Donovan Mitchell, NBA Trades: Why the Charlotte Hornets should trade for Donovan Mitchell. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Donovan Mitchell trade rumors have been swirling for a while now. And once the Utah Jazz traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the talks heated up again.

As of late, the New York Knicks have emerged as the top landing spot for Mitchell, but they’re not the only ones interested. In a recent report, Shams Charania of The Athletic noted that a plethora of others squads have taken an interest.

One of the teams Charania listed as being interested in Mitchell was the Charlotte Hornets. And out of all the teams named, the Hornets have the perfect mix of a great package to offer and the perfect reasons to make a deal.

NBA Trades: Why the Charlotte Hornets should trade for Donovan Mitchell

Starting off with the potential package Charlotte could offer, it might end up looking something like this. Jarred Vanderbilt could be taken out of the deal, too, but if the Hornets wanted to add defense, they could look to push for him to be included.

Hornets receive: Donovan Mitchell, Jarred Vanderbilt (could be done without)

Jazz receive: Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, James Bouknight, Kai Jones, 4 1st-Round Picks, 1 1st-Round Pick Swap

Danny Ainge has always loved Terry Rozier ever since his time with the Boston Celtics, so seeing him be sent to the Jazz in a trade for Mitchell just makes a ton of sense.

Plus, Utah would be getting two young prospects who were lottery picks just one season ago, a quality forward who is still young in PJ Washington, and plenty of draft capital.

Meanwhile, the Hornets have all the reason to make this move because it helps them put the best team possible around LaMelo Ball. If they want to keep him happy, they need to help him succeed.

Through no fault of their own, their team took a step back this summer, but making this trade would help them leap again. It would also create one of the most electrifying backcourts in the league.

Mitchell and Ball would be able to dominate the offensive end, and with Steve Clifford at the help, the team would (in theory) be able to formulate a quality defensive scheme, too.

Charlotte could roll out a starting lineup of Ball, Mitchell, Gordon Hayward, Vanderbilt (or Kelly Oubre Jr., if Vanderbilt weren’t to be included), and Mason Plumlee (or Mark Williams).

With the star-studded backcourt, that should be enough to make a push for the playoffs, and as time goes on, they would be able to put a solid lineup around those two stars.