Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets might lose assistant GM, Is Lauri Markkanen an option?

By Jerry Stephens

Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) drives the ball past Xavier Musketeers forward Tyrique Jones (0) during the second period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) drives the ball past Xavier Musketeers forward Tyrique Jones (0) during the second period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and greatest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made easy work of the Boston Celtics in Game Two as LeBron James and company took a 2-0 lead over the East’s #1 seed. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ assistant GM interviewing with the Indiana Pacers, the possibility of Lauri Markkanen being available at the 11th pick and Zach Collins or Jarrett Allen?

Hornets’ Assistant GM to Interview With Indiana (Twitter/ @ESPNSteinLine)

"The Indiana Pacers have received permission to interview Hornets exec Chad Buchanan for a spot in their front office, league sources say."

Buchanan has been with Charlotte since 2014 as their assistant GM. He joined after spending 10 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Stein also mentioned that the Pacers’ new president, Kevin Pritchard, has a strong relationship with Chad because of the time they spent together while with the Blazers.

Buchanan has a background in determining talent as he was Portland’s director of scouting. He probably had an input in drafting Nicolas Batum for the Blazers and trading for him with the Hornets. If he does leave, the team will have a front office position to fill going forward.

Will Lauri Markkanen be an Option in the Draft for Charlotte? (BleacherReport.com)

"The 2017 NBA draft received some clarity Tuesday night with the announcement of the lottery results, which rewarded the Boston Celtics with the first overall pick. The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers also landed coveted top-three selections for the June 22 event."

Even though Markkanen has been a projected top-10 pick for months leading up to the draft, anything can happen on draft night and he could fall to 11 like this article suggests. It may be unlikely but it isn’t impossible. DraftExpress.com has Lauri going 9th overall so falling two spots isn’t that much of a stretch.

If he does fall to the Hornets, they shouldn’t hesitate to pick him. Charlotte has been linked with multiple big men in the upcoming draft such as Zach Collins and Jarrett Allen but if they have the chance to get Markkanen over them, it would be a steal. I just don’t see him dropping out of the top-10 at this point.

Zach Collins or Jarrett Allen? (QueenCityHoops.com)

"Brian Giesinger from ACC Sports / Sports Channel 8 and Queen City Hoops Managing Editor Spencer Percy make the cases for Zach Collins and Jarrett Allen for the Hornets in June’s draft. Brian portrays all the reasons that Charlotte should draft Allen, but stay away from Collins, while Spencer makes the opposite case."

Next: Frank Ntilikina is the right choice for Charlotte

Both Collins and Allen fit the mold of what Charlotte needs and they will probably be available when the Hornets’ select at 11 which makes this discussion an important one. If it comes down to choosing between these two, Rich Cho and Michael Jordan should go with Zach. He is the higher rated prospect and less of a risk at this point in his career. Although, there is a case to be made for Jarrett as well. Take a look at the both cases and make your decision.

Home/Hornets News