The quote is not as good as the Lakers 👋Mawei Trading Rating: Hornets are eager to take action B-Sun problem unsolved C+

(Original article was published on June 26, the author is Kevin Pelton of ESPN website, the content of the article does not represent the translator's opinion)

Suns exchanged draft picks and Misic for Hornets center Mark Williams

Suns won: Mark Williams

Hornets won: Vasilier Misic, this year's 29th pick (selected by Liam McNeley), 2029 first round pick

Suns rating: C+

After the Suns completed this deal, they immediately selected another Duke center Carman Maluach with the No. 10 pick obtained from the Durant trade. This operation is puzzling, but I can vaguely see the logic of the team building.

The Mavericks succeeded in the 2024 playoffs by allowing two centers, Gafford and Lefly, to play and go all out. The Suns may be able to replicate this pattern, allowing Maluarch to form a similar double tower rotation with Mark Williams.

Hoarding center depth is particularly important for the Suns, which is due to Ma Wei's injury history. Before the transaction deadline, the Hornets and the Lakers' trade about Marvel was over due to a physical examination, and the Hornets' handling of its injuries was quite warning. In the remaining 30 regular season games, Mawei chose to take a rest in back-to-back games and played only 21 games.

Earlier, Ma Wei missed the last four months of the 2023-24 season due to a waist contusion, and missed the first 20 games of the 2024-25 season due to a foot tendon strain. Frequent injuries have greatly reduced the value of its transaction, and the Suns have been able to win it with their first round picks with limited potential. The 2029 first-round pick sent to the Hornets will be taken from the first-round pick with the lowest pick among the three teams (Cavs, Timberwolves, Jazz).

Unfortunately, after sending out two draft picks, the Suns were once again in a familiar dilemma with no deal chips available. The deal will further increase the Sun's salary burden. To match the salary, the Suns will also execute Misic's $8.1 million team option to send it back to the Hornets, who just sent the point guard to the Suns before the trade deadline.

The Suns may be able to save some money by cutting off Richards, another center he received from the Hornets in the past five months. According to ESPN's salary expert Bobby Marks, Richards' $5 million salary was non-guaranteed until Sunday, and he did not show the ability to change the situation during his starting position as the team.

By the 2026-27 season, the financial pressure on the Suns will be even heavier, and Ma Wei will face the issue of renewal at that time. He is eligible for an early renewal before the opening of the new season, otherwise he will become a restricted free agent. Although the lineup has been rejuvenated by introducing MaluAchi and Mawei, the Suns have not yet found a financial solution to get rid of the second rich line.

Hornets rating: B-

Compared with the transaction deadline, the unprotected first-round pick of the Lakers in 2031, the first-round swap rights in 2030 and the trading plan of last year's first-round pick Knector, the current version has a significantly inferior return. This 2029 first-round pick will most likely not be higher than the 20th pick.

On the positive side, the Hornets still successfully won two first-round picks. If the Hornets have decided to give up Ma Wei (the Lakers trade miscarriage has been revealed), and delaying until next season and then trading will face the risk of player injury, which may cause other teams to be discouraged.

The situation has developed to this point, and it is only three years since the Hornets selected Ma Wei in the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft (at the edge of the lottery zone), and the center will not be 24 until December this year. Mawei could have perfectly matched the team's young core, and the Hornets just selected Conk Kniper with the No. 4 pick on this year's draft night. But considering that Mawei has only played 106 of the 246 regular season games in recent years, it is not difficult to understand the frustration of the Hornets' management.

Misic revealed to the media in February this year that he is considering returning to the European League after two frustrated NBA seasons. The point guard is expected to negotiate a buyout with the Hornets, and he will earn millions of dollars in additional revenue thanks to being included in the deal.

Original text: Kevin Pelton

Compiled by: Li Taibai