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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets best fit in draft, Team likely to keep second round pick

By Jerry Stephens

Feb 20, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-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 Charlotte Hornets were among six teams to attend Dennis Smith’s pro-day as the projected top-10 pick worked out at NC State. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the best fit in the draft for Charlotte, the Hornets likely keeping their second round pick this year and re-drafting the 2012 NBA Draft.

Best fit in draft for Charlotte (SportsIllustrated.com)

"With Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky both logging major minutes, the Hornets aren’t pressed for immediate help at center, which diminishes the urgency to get him up to speed quickly. Steve Clifford’s defensive acumen would ease Allen’s transition."

This article lists Jerrett Allen as the best fit for the Hornets because of his defensive ability and skill in the pick and roll game. While the team could use a true rim protector, they have bigger needs to address this year. Most notably, scoring, shooting and a backup guard. Malik Monk checks all of those boxes.

Although it is unlikely that the Kentucky guard falls to them, Dennis Smith, Donovan Mitchell and Frank Ntilikina would be better backup plans than Allen or any big man for that matter. With Cody Zeller, Marvin Williams and Frank Kaminsky on the roster, not to mention Miles Plumlee who is signed until the 2019-20 season, which means they don’t have a hole in their roster for a big even though they could use a bit of an upgrade.

Hornets likely to keep second-round pick (Twitter/ @Kroeger)

"#Hornets GM Rich Cho says “in all likelihood” the team will keep 41st pick. He says he was actually offered something for the pick today."

Since 2009, Charlotte’s only kept one of their second round picks and that was Jeff Taylor in 2012. In that time, they’ve selected and traded/passed on Derrick Brown (2009), Robert Vaden (2009), Jeremy Tyler (2011), Dwight Powell (2014) and Juan Pablo Vaulet (2015). There is little reason to think that the team will keep the 41st overall pick this year but Rich Cho made it pretty clear that they probably will.

While a trade could still be possible, it looks like the Hornets have someone in mind that they want to take in the second round. They have scouted a number of second round prospects during their pre-draft workouts. With a number of recent second round picks panning out into stars or quality role players over the past few years, it would be wise for Charlotte to take a chance on a prospect.

Re-drafting 2012 NBA Draft (HeroSports.com)

"The Bobcats’ best player at the time was point guard Kemba Walker, their top draft pick from the previous year, but a team that bad can’t afford to pass up a legit franchise-type player like Lillard just because he plays the same position as Walker. You take the star and you figure it out."

Next: Why the Hornets should trade up for Jayson Tatum

After going 7-59 in 2011, Charlotte selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. In this re-draft, they would’ve taken Damian Lillard. That would’ve given them two star point guard in Walker and Lillard. In my opinion, it would’ve been ideal then and now to take Bradley Beal with that pick.

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