Charlotte Paid Nine Draft Positions to Add Cash and Dwayne Bacon
On June 22, 2017, Charlotte selected Duke guard Frank Jackson at No. 31, then sent his rights to New Orleans. The Pelicans delivered the rights to Florida State wing Dwayne Bacon, selected No. 40, along with $1.8 million cash. Charlotte sought a physical perimeter scorer to develop within a young rotation; New Orleans wanted a guard with more ball-handling potential. An official league report confirms the two draft slots and cash direction. This was a trade of unsigned second-round rights rather than the transfer of an established NBA contract. No future first-round selection was included. The nine-slot difference was the price Charlotte accepted to obtain both its preferred forward prospect and immediate financial compensation.
Bacon Became a Real but Modest Hornets Rotation Player
Bacon signed with the Hornets and appeared in 53 regular-season games during 2017-18. He played additional seasons in Charlotte, including a larger role in 2019-20, when he appeared in 75 games with 25 starts. Those are real NBA games obtained from the draft-right investment, even though he was not a high-efficiency primary option or long-term star. The franchise developed a capable athletic scorer whose overall impact was limited by shooting and consistency. Charlotte C reflects that imperfect basketball return, as well as its cash compensation. Bacon later changed NBA teams, but his subsequent appearances elsewhere cannot be credited as extra Hornets value. The original 2017 second-round agreement gave the team an actual rotational player rather than an unused prospect right.
Jackson Offered New Orleans a Different Development Gamble
Jackson missed his entire rookie campaign following foot surgery, postponing the guard impact New Orleans had anticipated. He later appeared in NBA games for the Pelicans and handled reserve scoring responsibilities in 2018-19. His career did not turn into a lasting All-Star tenure, but the higher 31st selection delivered a guard with plausible two-way development. The inherited C+ Pelicans grade, against Charlotte C, denotes a small preference for Jackson without proving a runaway victory. New Orleans spent cash to move up and accepted a delay in contributions. Charlotte got Bacon and cash immediately, then invested in his development. Neither side can take credit for the other player’s years on the floor, and the final verdict must respect the modest ceiling of both assets.
Final Verdict
Slight Pelicans Edge. New Orleans earns C+ for Frank Jackson draft rights at No. 31, while Charlotte receives C for Dwayne Bacon rights at No. 40 and $1.8 million. Bacon played three Hornets seasons and Jackson eventually supplied reserve Pelicans scoring after injury delayed his debut.