After an enjoyable, 48-win campaign in 2015-2016, the Charlotte Hornets have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and the team failed to reach even 40 wins during either campaign. Some of the issues related to Charlotte’s performance have been injury-related but, much like a few other teams in the NBA, the Hornets went “all in” during the summer of 2016 from a contract perspective and the results have been mixed, to put it kindly.
That confluence of events leaves the organization in a strange place, and a new coach-GM combination will be leading the squad for the upcoming season and beyond. With very little in the way of salary cap flexibility, the Hornets must look to improve their roster (at least from a future perspective) through the 2018 NBA Draft and, of course, that includes potential trades on or around draft day.
If we assume, however, that the Hornets simply stay put at No. 11 and No. 55 in the upcoming draft, a number of possibilities arise. In this space, we’ll break down a few players that could make sense in Charlotte, knowing full well that the option for full-blown turnover looms for the Hornets. Here we go.
- Miles Bridges – SF/PF, Michigan State – This may be a pipe dream for Charlotte but I’d argue it’s the best-case scenario. Bridges isn’t uber-elite in any one area but he does everything well. Beyond that, he would be a versatile, effective piece that is ready to contribute right now and, contrary to public sentiment, the Hornets don’t appear ready for the full-fledged rebuild they might need.
- Trevon Duval – PG, Duke – Duval’s stock has plummeted over the last 12 months, to the point where he legitimately may be available at No. 55 overall. A team could certainly pull the trigger earlier in the draft but Duval wasn’t overly effective at Duke and his jump shot is a big-time concern. He is a tremendous athlete, though, and players with real upside aren’t often available deep into round two.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – PG/SG, Kentucky – Scouts are split on Gilgeous-Alexander’s ultimate NBA destiny but he is a lottery-worthy prospect from a talent standpoint. He may be best suited in a supporting, do-it-all role and, if Kemba Walker sticks around long-term, that would be the case in Charlotte. If Walker leaves, though, the Kentucky product has the theoretical ability to be a lead guard and would slot in nicely.
- Kevin Knox – PF/SF, Kentucky – Knox and Bridges have some similarities in projection, with Knox being a five-star prospect that may bring even higher upside to the table while presenting a bit more risk. The Hornets appear to be in the market for forward help and Knox may be the most realistic pick of this entire sextet of prospects.
- Jarred Vanderbilt – PF, Kentucky – Yes, another Kentucky player. Michael Jordan’s team has a history with high-pedigree players from major programs and, even if that isn’t the reason for this theoretical fit, it doesn’t hurt. Vanderbilt has a very wide range of outcomes and, based on his injury history, could even go undrafted. Still, he has tremendous rebounding acumen and would be worth a gamble at No. 55 overall.
- Lonnie Walker – SG, Miami – This would be an upside-based pick but Walker brings a ton of offensive potential to the table. He and Kemba Walker wouldn’t be the best theoretical pairing, especially defensively, but the Miami guard may be the best player available at No. 11, depending on how things shake out.
