Cleveland Took Brendan Haywood and Dwight Powell Draft Rights
On July 12, 2014, Cleveland obtained veteran center Brendan Haywood and rookie forward Dwight Powell draft rights from Charlotte in exchange for Scotty Hopson and cash. The move followed LeBron James's announcement that he would return to the Cavaliers and was part of a wider effort to acquire veteran big-man insurance. Haywood was recovering from a foot injury that had cost him the 2013-14 season, so this was not a swap for an available All-Star starting center. Powell had been selected No. 45 in the 2014 draft after four years at Stanford and represented a potential developmental option. The Hornets official July 13 report documents the exact outgoing and incoming assets, including the direction of cash. No additional draft selection accompanied this particular exchange.
Haywood Had More Contract Value Than NBA Court Time in Cleveland
Haywood appeared in a limited role for Cleveland during 2014-15, behind other frontcourt contributors, as the Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals. His size and experience provided insurance, but his playing totals were small and he was not the center responsible for Cleveland's postseason success. A non-guaranteed component in his later contract also provided the Cavaliers with flexibility in further roster negotiations. Powell did not become a Cleveland regular-season contributor: his rights and contract moved through additional transactions before his long NBA career took hold in Dallas. The Cavaliers B+ inherited grade consequently describes the combined reserve and asset flexibility rather than years of Powell playing time in Cleveland. It is important to keep the 2014 transaction distinct from Powell's eventual Mavericks seasons.
Charlotte Quickly Sent Hopson Elsewhere for More Cash
Charlotte acquired Hopson and cash from Cleveland on July 12 and then moved the guard to New Orleans the following day for additional cash considerations. The official Hornets announcement on July 13 directly confirms that second leg of the asset chain. Hopson therefore did not become a dependable Bobcats or Hornets roster player and did not provide Charlotte regular-season starts. The franchise used his contract and the two financial transactions to adjust its resources while parting with a veteran center and a second-round forward. Its C- inherited grade reflects the limited basketball return even though the transaction had a rational economic function. Cleveland gained a big-man contract and rookie rights that could be used or moved, while Charlotte got immediate funds but did not add a rotation player from this specific swap.
Final Verdict
Cavaliers Win. Cleveland receives B+ for Brendan Haywood and Dwight Powell's 2014 No. 45 draft rights, valuable primarily as reserve or later transaction assets rather than substantial Cleveland game production. Charlotte gets C- for Scotty Hopson and cash; Hopson was traded again to New Orleans the next day without becoming a Hornets rotation player.