The Charlotte Hornets have a long and checkered basketball history. The Mark Williams trade, which was supposed to bring sharpshooter Dalton Knecht and a future first-round draft choice to the Hornets,

The key to the trade is the unprotected 2031 Lakers pick that Jeff Peterson acquired. If the Dallas Mavericks are correct in their thinking about the low ceiling of a future led by Luka Dončic, or the Slovenian superstar inks a long-term contract away from Los Angeles, the value of that pick is limitless.