Charlotte Swapped Two Later Draft Assets for Bryce McGowens
The Hornets acquired the rights to Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens from Minnesota on June 23, 2022, after the Timberwolves selected him with the No. 40 pick. Charlotte sent the rights to No. 45 Josh Minott and a future 2023 second-round selection eventually associated with No. 53 Jaylen Clark. The NBA official Minnesota draft history confirms the No. 40-for-No. 45 exchange, and Charlotte's own media guide identifies the extra 2023 pick. The agreement was a draft-night transaction involving unsigned rights, not two players who had already logged games with their new NBA clubs. Charlotte preferred McGowens as a young scoring guard and accepted the cost of one more future selection, while Minnesota increased its ability to develop forwards and keep another draft option.
McGowens Received a Real Charlotte Development Opportunity
McGowens joined Charlotte and appeared in NBA regular-season games over the next two seasons, initially dividing his time between the Hornets and their Greensboro G League affiliate. His size for a guard and ability to attack the basket gave Charlotte another developmental offensive prospect alongside LaMelo Ball and its more experienced scorers. He did not become the franchise's unquestioned starting shooting guard, and his opportunities shifted as the club changed its coaching and personnel. The Hornets C grade should therefore be tied to a prospect who at least reached the NBA rotation, not an overseas right or nonconveyed pick. He supplied practical trial minutes at the cost of two later second-round opportunities, and the long-term payoff fell well short of an All-Star.
Minnesota Secured Two Development Options Instead of One
The Timberwolves received Josh Minott's draft rights at No. 45 and the future second-rounder ultimately connected to Jaylen Clark at No. 53 in 2023. Both were actual prospect rights with the potential to become NBA contributors, not merely a compensation promise expiring when an obscure draft condition was missed. Minott developed in Minnesota's organization with opportunities behind a stronger frontcourt, while Clark faced a longer initial development path. The Wolves C+ inherited grade reflects the additional draft asset and flexibility of taking two chances instead of one. It would be misleading to treat all subsequent NBA seasons by either player on another club as Minnesota production if their rights later moved. The value directly received in 2022 was a pair of rights and control over their development.
Final Verdict
Wolves Win. Minnesota earns C+ for the rights to No. 45 Josh Minott and the 2023 second-rounder tied to No. 53 Jaylen Clark. Charlotte receives C for No. 40 Bryce McGowens, who subsequently played Hornets NBA minutes as a developing young guard. The Wolves gained two prospects in exchange for one.