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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets’ biggest offseason questions, Drafting Justin Jackson?

By Jerry Stephens

Apr 5, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford gestures from the sidelines in the first half against the Miami Heat at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford gestures from the sidelines in the first half against the Miami Heat at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The Boston Celtics took a 3-2 lead in their second round series after taking Game 5 over the Washington Wizards. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ biggest offseason questions, potentially drafting Justin Jackson and forecasting OG Anunoby.

Hornets’ Biggest Offseason Questions (FanRagSports.com)

"The Hornets have a bonafide star in Kemba Walker and solid complementary pieces, but without a clear path to drastically raise their ceiling, they may be knocking on the door of NBA purgatory."

I answered a few questions for my friend, Nekias Duncan, about Charlotte’s potential plans this summer. We discussed their direction, Jeremy Lamb‘s future with the team, draft prospects and free agent targets. Patty Mills, Darren Collison, Amir Johnson, Andrew Bogut and Tiago Splitter were among the free agents I listed as possible targets for the Hornets this offseason.

Duncan hits the nail on the head when he says NBA purgatory could be the landing spot for this franchise. It seems like they have been stuck in this situation for some time now. Despite that, I believe that if they can, at the very least, make consistent appearances in the playoffs for the next few years, that wouldn’t be the worst outcome.

Justin Jackson’s Fit With Charlotte (CBSsports.com)

"He’s a talented wing and national champion who should be able to contribute immediately at a position where the Hornets could use someone who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability."

The Hornets and Jackson might be a perfect fit but taking him at 11 seems like a bit of a reach. Still, he would fill a need for the team and would give them a versatile wing who could score and help space the floor which is something they’ve been missing with Michale Kidd-Gilchrist. After winning a national championship and shooting a career-high 37% from three during his junior season, the forward’s draft stock is at an all-time high.

At 22-years old, Justin has less upside than some other prospects that Charlotte could take with the 11th pick like Zach Collins, Justin Patton or OG Anunoby. It will be interesting to see if the team wants to go for potential or fit because Jackson could fill a position of need for them right away. It all depends on what Michael Jordan and Rich Cho deem as a priority this summer.

Forecasting OG Anunoby (QueenCityHoops.com)

"If he works out well for teams in pre-draft workouts then I don’t see how Anunoby doesn’t find his way into the top-10 on June 22. The ceiling will end up being too high for someone to pass on."

Next: Perry Ellis dominates in D-League Elite Mini-Camp

Anunoby measured in at the NBA Combine with a wingspan of 7’6″ which is incredible considering he is only 6’8. With that length, OG will surely shoot up some draft boards and even more so if he performs well at the combine. He would be an interesting selection for the Charlotte Hornets and draft at 11 wouldn’t be a reach but I’m just worried that he may be too similar to MKG in terms of his lack of offensive ability at the forward spot.

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