5 hypothetical franchise-altering trades

San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors - Game One
Kawhi Leonard

#2 Denver get the point guard they need, Charlotte go full rebuild

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Denver Nuggets v Charlotte Hornets
Walker will give the Nuggets some more backcourt experience

The Nuggets receive: Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Willy Hernangomez

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The Hornets receive: Jamal Murray, Kenneth Faried, Mason Plumlee and a 2018 first-round draft pick

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Denver missed the 2017 playoffs by a single win, signed Paul Millsap to a $90 million contract and missed the playoffs by a single win again. Even with the addition of the four-time All-Star, half of the team's roster was 23 years old or less. This lack of experience might explain why the team averaged the most turnovers in the clutch this season.

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The team didn’t have a veteran point guard on their roster for most of the season and although Jamal Murray could develop to a top-level point guard, Denver needs quality know.

Kemba Walker is definitely a good match for the Nuggets and an upgrade on Murray. Charlotte failed to make the playoffs again and if they don’t act fast they will lose Kemba to free agency in 2019 and will remain empty handed.

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The All-Star carries a "user-friendly" $12 million contract for next year but will probably have to be accompanied by one of Charlotte's heavy long-term contracts. Batum's contract is their top priority, guaranteed $76.6 million starting this summer.

But he's also the best player Denver can get, and success in this league is expensive. Hornets' owner Michael Jordan said he is not looking to rebuild, but young talent, salary dump, and a lottery pick might convince him otherwise.

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Edited by Raunak J
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