Charlotte Acquired Nick Richards Draft Rights for a Future Second
At the November 18, 2020 NBA draft, the Hornets acquired rights to Kentucky center Nick Richards from New Orleans in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft selection. The Pelicans had used the No. 42 pick on Richards, while Charlotte identified him as an inexpensive young big man worth developing behind its more established frontcourt. The outgoing 2024 selection eventually was associated with No. 34 Tyler Kolek, although later draft-right ownership needs independent tracing. The transaction was a future-pick payment for an immediately drafted second-round center, not a deal for an established veteran NBA starter. Neither team sent cash or a first-round pick in the original inherited asset list. Charlotte could sign Richards and put him into its developmental structure, while New Orleans had another future selection to use or trade.
Richards Became a Starting-Capable Hornets Center
Richards played a limited rookie role before gradually developing into a genuine NBA center option for Charlotte. In 2022-23 he appeared in 65 games and averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, with more responsibility when injuries hit the frontline. He followed with an even larger role in 2023-24, averaging approximately 9.7 points and eight rebounds in 67 appearances. His rebounding, finishing and rim protection showed that a second-round pick could return years of team-specific production. He did not become an All-Star or erase Charlotte’s broader competitive difficulties, but his direct playing contribution was far greater than a short one-season roster experiment. The inherited Hornets B grade recognizes dependable developmental value from the purchased rights, without crediting his later Phoenix games to Charlotte.
The Pelicans Took a Future Draft Asset with No Guaranteed Player
New Orleans accepted a 2024 second-round choice rather than keeping the rookie center. That pick had a real, delayed value and eventually became linked to No. 34 Tyler Kolek. Yet a player associated with a draft selection should not automatically be credited as a Pelicans regular-season contributor, because draft-night rights can change hands multiple times. The inherited Pelicans C+ grade reflects the legitimate benefit of a future selection while the team focused its near-term roster on other young frontcourt options. Charlotte ultimately obtained a multi-season NBA reserve and occasional starter, making the Charlotte Win label appropriate when measured by games and frontcourt production. The transaction illustrates a developmental gain from trading distant draft capital for a prospect who could be evaluated immediately.
Final Verdict
Charlotte Win. The Hornets earn B after acquiring the 2020 No. 42 rights to Nick Richards, who later played 65 games at 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 2022-23 and 67 games with around eight rebounds in 2023-24. New Orleans gets C+ for a 2024 second-round choice associated with No. 34 Tyler Kolek.