Open Rants by e

Not a Hornets fan here but was just questioning how the Hornets could get their hands on Leonard. I believe I figured out how. Bare with me.

First trade Kemba Walker to Orlando. Kemba is the only guy who can really be of much value in a trade for the Hornets. He is in the last year of his contract and could be flipped into multiple players. Here is the first proposed trade:

Kemba Walker for T. Ross, J. Isaac, 2018 6th overall, and 2020 first round draft pick (via Oklahoma)

The Magic have no stars and would be able to drag more fans into the stadium with a guy like Walker. Walker would be in Florida and on a team with consistently high draft picks, which would make him more receptive to signing a big contract with a team that has more room to do that. The Magic would be giving up some pieces as Terrance Ross would be leaving along with last year's first round draft pick Jonathan Isaac. Two first round picks would also go Charolette's way. He never really worked in Orlando due to injury. Ross is a very selfless player every team loves. He is also a veteran who has provided some explosive scoring nights, which should be appealing to Hornets' owner Michael Jordan. Issac is mostly unknown in this trade. He averaged nearly 20 minutes per game but never showed much in his rookie year. The biggest part about him is his potential. At Florida State, he proved he is a great 6'11, shot-blocking shooter. He can put the ball in the net and knock it down. The Hornets defense last year struggled to block shots and tied for 18th with the Celtics and Clippers. Isaac could provide some upside for the Hornets in areas they struggle mightily with. The picks are the biggest part of the deal. The Hornets could end up getting two great players in the first 11 picks of the draft. The OKC pick is not expected to be astronomical. As the <strong>PICK MAY OR MAY NOT TRANSFER DEPENDING IF THUNDER CONVEY 2018 FIRST ROUND PICK TO JAZZ AND THUNDER DRAFT POSITION.

Trade N. Batum, D. Bacon, 2019 first round pick, 2018 second round pick and the 6th overall pick (via Orlando) to Spurs for K. Leonard

Batum will be successful with the Spurs and will be a whole lot better than a small forward who doesn't play. Batum was mostly disappointing last year but a lot point that to the big man Dwight Howard and scorer Jeremy Lamb. Batum will have more opportunities in San Antonio and could be some trade bait moving along as the Spurs might start their rebuilding process. Bacon is not known well and didn't get a lot of opportunities but he has good hands and can shoot the basketball. He is definitely not the focal point of this trade but just a piece for the Spurs moving forward. The picks are bigger for the Spurs as they will have opportunities to grab some difference makers. The sixth pick allow them to get their hands on Luka Doncic, who would be a dangerous player for Greg Pop. The Spurs could grab anyone really at six, except maybe Ayton or Bagley. Tony Parker is 36 and Manu Ginobili is 40 (maybe retiring). It is time to move on from that&nbsp;archaic duo and grab the future. (Many are questioning my Doncic at six. It's because of the Bamba and Porter Jr. rumors. Doncic is also rumored to be sliding. Could be perfect storm for Spurs.) The Hornets would be getting (when healthy) one of the top three players in the league. Along with an unreal defensive player with great offensive skills too. Jordan, the owner, loves acquiring veterans with track records and I think Leonard fits that mold. Jordan, the shoe brand, has also been trying to get a shoe deal done with Leonard for a while. Michael Jordan obviously has a large interest in the shoe brand and could persuade his superstar Hornet into the deal. Not to mention, he would be pretty damn good for them.

Pick Collin Sexton with the 11th overall pick.

With the Kemba Walker absence, the Hornets pick Collin Sexton at 11. Not because of their need but because he is a great steal and great fit for the Hornets. Finding a backup behind Kemba Walker was their biggest weakness in 2017-18; they were 11.3 points per 100 possessions worse with Walker on the bench last season, according to NBA Advanced Stats. Sexton would be the Walker replacement. &nbsp;He would play to a similar style as Patrick Beverly or Eric Bledsoe. He has that kind of ceiling.

Next is free agency:

Sign Avery Bradley

Sign Trevor Ariza

Sign Greg Monroe

The stress is defense first with people that can score on any given night. Leonard is without a doubt the main guy on this team and the rest of the team revolves around him. The starting lineup is stout and has great defensive capabilities along with the ability to create shots. The bench is deep and younger. Howard is the rock in the middle but can have many other people play in his spot. After the year is over, the Hornets should explore a Howard trade or cutting him loose as his shelf life is ticking and will no longer be worth the top dollar they are giving him. Ariza can fill the shoes and the Hornets can afford to resign their players, including Leonard