re: Hornets would trade out of #1 spot

There's the max deal you can get for being a young vet (Gordon, 25% of cap (a little different for him and Love, actually)) that can be raised to one you can get as an older vet (Paul, 30% of max).

More money, same years.

There is also this designated player, which is what Westbrook signed without having the 30% accelerator. This allows for 5 years beyond the rookie contract years instead of just 4. This is the path the Pelicans should take with Davis.

One reason is that a team can only designate a single player at a time and can only one other designated player that they received in trade. Coon's site does not read that a team can have a total of 2 they received in trade if they do not designate one themselves. This designation, then, decreases the number of teams he can be traded to while he has time left on his deal. I think that is a good thing. A team that is gunning for him will prepare, but every edge in keeping him counts.