Just a day before the NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets have taken steps towards rebuilding their franchises by participating in a trade, with the main mover in that trade being Dwight Howard.

One year ago, the Atlanta Hawks traded Howard to the Hornets for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and a swap of second-round picks in a trade that took place two days before the 2017 NBA Draft.

This year, he is reportedly being traded one day before the 2018 Draft, and to Brooklyn. The eight-time NBA All-Star is changing teams now for the third time in three years, his fourth team in the past four years.

Trade

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Hornets have sent Howard to the Nets in exchange for center Timofey Mozgov, two future second-round picks and cash. Charlotte will receive the Nets' second-round pick (No. 45) in Thursday's NBA draft and a 2021 second-round pick.

Howard's value has clearly declined if the best the Hornets can get for him from the Nets is Mozgov and two future second-round picks. However, Charlotte has been determined to move him out since he has a $23.8 million expiring contract.

Mozgov, on the other hand, has two years, $32.7 million left on his contract. Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak signed the Russian to the four-year, $64 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers two years ago.

He was traded to the Nets last summer by the Lakers as part of the part of their trade for D'Angelo Russell. In that deal, Mozgov was sent to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez and the rights to rookie Kyle Kuzma.

The Nets will now save close to $17 million on the trade in the 2019-20 season, allowing them to create two max salary slots for 2019 free agency. However, the trade itself cannot be completed until the moratorium ends on July 6, and Brooklyn will need money to expire off the salary cap to take on Howard's salary.

Mozgov appeared in 31 games last season, averaging 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. Howard, on the other hand, averaged 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game over 81 games.

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