The NBA offseason has really gotten going as big moves have begun being made. The Lakers were the first team to get started, dealing D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets, but another big name is also on the move.
According to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, the Atlanta Hawks have agreed to deal center Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets:
The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade center Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Bobcats, source tell ESPN's The Undefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 21, 2017
Spears may have forgotten that the Bobcats are now the Hornets, but that doesn’t mean the deal itself isn’t happening. It was Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical who reported what the Hawks got in return:
Sources: Charlotte is sending Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and 41st pick to Atlanta for Dwight Howard and 31st pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 21, 2017
This was a move that came out of nowhere, and the return wasn’t much for someone of Howard’s stature, even though he is not what he used to be.
Belinelli averaged only 10.5 points last year but is known as an excellent shooter, knocking down 36 percent from three-point range. Plumlee only appeared in only 45 games last year between Milwaukee and Charlotte, averaging only 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds.
The Hornets are hoping to improve their interior defense and rebounding by adding Howard and hopefully return to the playoffs after missing out this past season. Howard still averaged a double-double last season and will provide much more of a defensive presence than the likes of Frank Kaminsky or Roy Hibbert.
The NBA Draft is still two days away, but teams are already making some significant changes. With draft day approaching and free agency not far behind it, this NBA offseason is shaping up to be wild.
