Charlotte Trading Out?

By trading away veteran swingman Corey Maggette in exchange for Detroit's Ben Gordon and a future first-round pick (lottery protected), Charlotte is highly unlikely to stay put at No. 2. New head coach Mike Dunlap wanted a perimeter weapon and that's just what he gets in Gordon, a 40.6 percent career marksman, but in doing so, Charlotte is going to have the league's smallest backcourt with 6-foot point guard and the 6-2 newly acquired wing.

With the backcourt set for the at least the next two seasons, Charlotte would bolster its roster by following up on rumors and trading down with Cleveland at No. 4 and acquiring one of their early-second round picks (either No. 33 or 34) in the process. The Bobcats would still be able to draft their targeted big man, Thomas Robinson, and add another piece like a center in Festus Ezeli or Kyle O'Quinn or sharp-shooting wing like Kim English or Hollis Thompson.

Washington at No. 3 and Cleveland sitting at No. 4 currently both have their sights set on Bradley Beal and Harrison Barnes. Charlotte needs to capitalize from their positioning at No. 2 and trade back.

By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 6 - 27 - 12