Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 4:06pm

HORNETS DUMP DWIGHT HOWARD TO THE NETS

The Charlotte Hornets acquired center Timofey Mozgov, shooting guard Hamidou Diallo, a second-round draft pick in 2021 and cash from the Brooklyn Nets for center Dwight Howard.

What does it give the Charlotte Hornets
This deal first became known prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, but it is now official. The Hornets wanted no part of the declining Howard any longer, so they took the best deal they could find here. The 2021 second rounder may help down the road, and the cash was welcomed, but Diallo was subsequently traded to Oklahoma City for a second rounder in next year's draft and more cash.

What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
For Brooklyn, this trade was all about getting rid of Mozgov's expensive contract. The big Russian center is no longer starter material, so the Nets did well to part with him in order to take Howard (briefly). Brooklyn waived Howard immediately following the completion of this transaction, and he is now headed to the Washington Wizards as a free agent. This was a smart move by Brooklyn.

Fantasy impact
Howard remains one of the top defensive centers in the NBA (despite his advancing age) so he's a nice replacement in Washington for recently-traded vet Marcin Gortat. None of the other players in this deal are likely fantasy-worthy for the upcoming NBA season, but Diallo has some keeper league appeal.