Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When trades enter the equation

By Brendon Kleen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 29: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats leads his teammates in the third round against the Houston Cougars during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Sprint Center on March 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 29: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats leads his teammates in the third round against the Houston Cougars during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Sprint Center on March 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Kentucky. P.J. Washington. 12. player. 170. . F/C

Let’s talk about Nicolas Batum. We paint with broad strokes often when we talk about how bad things are for the Hornets, but we rarely acknowledge the Batum-sized elephant in the room. Charlotte’s highest-paid player was one of the worst guys on the team this season.

It never quite made sense for Batum to get a near-max contract as it’s never a great idea to pay top dollar for any player who can’t consistently create great shots for himself or his teammates, but the contract got worse with time. During the Hornets’ playoff run to end the year, first-year head coach James Borrego only played Batum during three of the team’s final eight games.

Borrego and his staff likely hoped a younger player, maybe Malik Monk or Dwayne Bacon could step up to absorb Batum’s minutes. Indeed, Bacon played heavy minutes to close the season but shot just 43 percent in the month of March. And Bacon’s emergence still doesn’t solve the bigger problem for Charlotte, which are the two years and $52 million remaining on Batum’s deal.

“I think he would admit it was a tough season for him,” general manager Mitch Kupchak said of Batum at the end of the season. Borrego said he didn’t have an answer for how Batum fit on the team going forward.

Washington is the type of playmaking forward who could eventually replace some of Batum’s all-around production.

Check out our full scouting report on P.J. Washington.

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