Ben Gordon to Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Should Be MJ's Choice After Trade

MJ must draft MKG.

On Tuesday, the Charlotte Bobcats traded Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons for Ben Gordon and a protected 2013 first-round pick (via the Charlotte Observer). Charlotte’s greatest need this offseason was for a scoring boost, but after adding Gordon, they should feel comfortable selecting the best available player.

And that title without a doubt goes to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Before the trade, Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal-Times reported that he recently spoke to a number of NBA officials, and every single one believed the Bobcats would select Thomas Robinson at No. 2.

That would be a mistake.

Robinson is 6’9”. Charlotte’s 2011 first-round pick Bismack Biyombo is 6’9”. The Bobcats would never be true championship contenders with two 6’9” big men starting down low.

Now, post-trade, there are rumors that the Bobcats are leaning toward trading down even more than they were previously. Marc James of CBS tweeted on Tuesday night:

"

NBA Source just told me the Bobcats will probably trade the 2nd pick. This is gonna be a an Exhilirating 48 hours for Charlotte. #Bobcats

— MARC JAMES (@marcjames) June 27, 2012"

If Charlotte trades down, it’ll most likely be with the Cleveland Cavaliers who, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, desire to leapfrog the Washington Wizards to lock up Bradley Beal. If Beal goes off the board at No. 2 and the Wiz keep their pick and select Harrison Barnes to fill their hole at shooting guard, Charlotte would still be able to choose between Robinson and Kidd-Gilchrist and they would’ve gained at least a second-round pick from the Cavs.

From there, MKG is the choice they must make.

After dealing away Maggette, Charlotte has a huge hole at small forward. Kidd-Gilchrist would fill it instantly. He’s an elite on-ball defender, rebounder and finisher at the rim and if the Bobcats pass on him, they’d regret it.

According to Chad Ford of ESPN, one NBA scout said of Kidd-Gilchrist:

"

He clearly needs to improve as a shooter, and he needs to tighten his handle. But I've never been more confident that he'll improve those things than I am with Kidd-Gilchrist. To me, he was the most improved player in college basketball last year. He made major strides from what I saw in high school.

He's so committed to his game, he's going to put the sweat equity into it. I totally believe that, and it's why I'm comfortable saying he's worthy of the second pick in the draft and that he's going to be an All-Star someday. And more important to him, I think, he's going to win a championship some day.

"

Charlotte will be able to fill their need down low by selecting Festus Ezeli, Miles Plumlee or another lengthy big at the top of the second round. They won’t find an impact player there like MKG, though.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a winner: period. And Michael Jordan of all people should recognize that and pull the trigger.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels