The Knicks traded Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries and Duane Washington along with three second-round picks to the Hornets in exchange for Nnaji to help complete the three-team trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Nnaji is a project for the future who continued playing overseas for FC Barcelona after being selected with the No. 31 pick in the 2023 Draft. The 20-year-old could end up on the roster down the road, but the Knicks are not expected to bring Nnaji in anytime soon. Across 26 regular-season games for Barcelona in the 2023-24 season, Nnaji averaged 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds across 8.3 minutes per game.
Nnaji was selected 31st in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Celtics, but he was quickly redirected to the Charlotte Hornets.
Nnaji is a project for the future, as he doesn't turn 19 until August. A 6-foot-11 center with a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan, Nnaji didn't play much for FC Barcelona last season, but he showed off his athleticism and touch around the rim. With Mark Williams and Nick Richards under contract for Charlotte, Nnaji will likely spend some time in the G League, at least in the early going.
