There won’t be any Charlotte Hornets basketball to discuss for a little while because of the all-star break. right when things were beginning to get better as well.
Following the trades of Gordon Hayward and PJ Washington to reinforce their bench with actual NBA players, the team has won three straight games and appears competent to borderline good. Berthed envisions a club that, should LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams remain healthy, could contend for the postseason the following year. The success of late and the unexpected rise in goals have changed people’s opinions on this draft, which is definitely a good thing.
You won’t have to worry as much about victories harming your draft position in the closing minutes if the Hornets don’t locate another star. Furthermore, it doesn’t appear like this next draft will have many big names. There isn’t a standout prospect or prospect tier. It is merely a large blob of possiblys.
This creates a great deal of uncertainty at this stage of the drafting process. Several different players have been ridiculed by the Hornets in our mock drafts.
ESPN: Serbian guard Nikola Topic of Mega MIS
From what I’ve seen of him in highlights, Topic reminds me a little bit of Goran Dragic. He enjoys going downward, hopping off one foot, and finishing at strange angles in the area surrounding the basket. Additionally, he has excellent passing ability, especially in pick-and-roll scenarios. Although he is shooting 28% from three this season, there are concerns regarding his defense and shooting, but he is shooting 88% from the field and has displayed glimpses of pull-up shooting skills. When paired with LaMelo Ball, he would be another large guard with passing ability, which should completely unlock Brandon Miller’s potential as a scorer and shooter.
The Ringer: Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard
Why not draft another small-ish combo guard, as the Hornets just offloaded the one they had paired with LaMelo Ball? Sheppard’s incredible efficiency has continued to carry him up draft boards throughout the season. He has an incredible true shooting percentage of 69.1% and is shooting 52% from three on good value. Despite having a lackluster physical profile, he generates a lot of blocks and steals the ball.
He’s shouldered more ball handling burden in recent games and done well with it. He keeps passing all the tests, but a 6’3″ guard with an even wingspan and average athleticism is hard to trust at the top of the lottery. If the Hornets do take him, he adds some more toughness and outside shooting to a team that badly needs it.
Ron Holland, forward, G League Ignite: Bleacher Report
The decision by Bleacher Report to include a second forward might perhaps push Brandon Miller to the two if everything goes according to plan. For a Hornets team looking to add some grit and edge to the lineup, Holland’s defensive edge, tenacity, and unwavering motor should be contagious. Although he still needs to improve as a shooter, he has the potential to be a very significant player.
Rob Dillingham, guard, Kentucky, CBS Sports
Another Kentucky-born combo guard. As I mentioned in the part on Reed Sheppard, Dillingham is an even better imitation of Terry Rozier. At just 6’1′′ or 6’2′′, he favors scoring somewhat above making plays. Although he’s improved as a passer since moving to Kentucky, his primary role is still to score baskets. He is a knockdown shooter off the dribble as well as off the catch, and he possesses an extensive repertoire of finishing moves around the hoop. He tries playing defense, but once more, he’s not very big.
Tankathon: Baylor guard Ja’Kobe Walter
Walter has the equipment necessary to be a wing 3&D guard. Although his rookie season has been uneven, his form is flawless and his confidence is unbounded. His captivating passion and energy come through in his playing. When positioned between LaMelo and Miller as a point of attack defender and shot maker, he would be a perfect fit in the Hornets starting lineup thanks to his good guard/wing frame.
Alexandre Sarr, a large player from Perth, Australia, via France, is the NBA Draft Net.
Right now, Sarr is most likely the favorite to finish first overall. He has the necessary hardware to function as a prototype rim runner and protector. He is a safe pick to be a valuable NBA player based only on that, but there are other factors as well. Although his conversion rate this season has been modest, he has demonstrated his ability to make threes. He moves better than most players his size and has a smooth ball handling style. Although his game has some rawness, there are many positive aspects to it. If it worked out, the Hornets would have everything they needed to be a top defense. He would just need to work on his outside shooting to fit next to Mark Williams.
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