Charlotte Hornets: Potential draft and stash prospects in 2017 NBA Draft

Even though the Charlotte Hornets don’t have a history of utilizing draft and stash prospects, there are a few intriguing options for them this year.

The Charlotte Hornets have two picks in the 2017 NBA Draft with one at No. 11 and the other at No. 41 in the second round. While the first round pick will probably yield an immediate return, the second round selection will be far more intriguing. The team can go in a number of different directions.

They can get someone who can compete for a roster spot, play with their D-League team in the Greensboro Swarm or take the road less traveled and pick a draft and stash prospect. The Hornets have never taken a draft and stash player in their draft history. They did take Juan Pablo Vaulet with the 39th pick in 2015 but immediately traded him to the Brooklyn Nets on draft night.

While most draft and stash prospects don’t ever end up coming stateside, there are a few that end up making an impact in the NBA. The most notable being Ricky Rubio, Serge Ibaka, Nikola Mirotic, Jonas Valanciunas and Dario Saric. But those players were all top picks in the first round. It’s much hard to find international prospects later in the draft.

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Although, it has been done and with a lot of recent success. Marc Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik, Marcin Gortat, Luis Scola and Nando de Colo were all international players who came over a year or more after they were drafted.

Geroge De Paula

DraftExpress ranks De Paula as the 72nd overall prospect in their top-100 and third overall among international prospects born in 1996. There is a good chance that the Brazilian goes undrafted this year because DE has him being selected with the last pick in the draft at 60th overall in the second round to the Atlanta Hawks.

Although, it’s tough to gauge the second round and George could end up being picked much higher. Especially if a team wants to stash him away for a year or two.

The 21-year old is a 6’6 point guard who plays for Paulistano in Brazil. At Eurocamp in 2015, he measured in with a 7’0″ wingspan and an 8’8″ standing reach. That’s incredible length and size for a point guard in today’s NBA.

Despite some strengths, he does have his fair share of weaknesses. Here is what NBADraft.net had to say about George:

"Not an athletic player, doesn’t have great leaping ability and lacks an explosive first step … Experience and feel for the game are low … Has a tendency to over dribble … Sometimes takes ill advised shots and misses opportunities because of that … Doesn’t have a good midrange shot, and needs to improve his shot selection … Form and fundamentals on his shot are bad … Has a long, looping release which makes it difficult for him to get it off, and difficult to replicate consistently … Assist/TO rate is not good, makes bad decisions on the court causing TO … Needs to be more unselfish and concentrate, doesn’t have great focus … Need to improve his defensive skills, don’t have good fundamental skills on D, relies upon his amazing body …"

During 40 games last season, he averaged 10.8 points per game, 4.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from inside the arc and 32.9% from three. NBADraft.net compares him to Orien Green which isn’t great but with his size, there is plenty to build off of.

Vlatko Cancar

According to DraftExpress.com, Cancar is the 56th ranked prospect in this year’s draft class and the 2nd overall international prospect born in 1997. DE has him going 56th overall in their latest mock to the Boston Celtics. The 6’8 small forward out of Slovenia plays for Mega Leks in Serbia.

He managed to put up 5.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game in eight games in the 2016-17 season. He shot an impressive 61.9% from two but struggled from deep only shooting 27.3% from three and 54.5% from the free throw line. Despite his limited playing time, he is seen as a top international prospect.

At only 20-years old, Vlatko has plenty of time to develop. In Eurocamp 2016, he measured in at 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan. He has the body to play in the NBA but his skill, especially shooting ability, is still a bit lacking. NBADraft.net names Kyle Singler as his NBA comparison.

Alberto Abalde

Abalde is the highest ranked prospect of the three coming in at #48 on DraftExpress’s top-100. They have the Denver Nuggets selecting him at 51st overall. He is the third-ranked international prospect born in 1995 only behind Anzejs Pasecniks and Mathias Lessort who could each be first round picks this year.

Alberto is a 6’7 small forward who plays in his native country of Spain for Joventut. He averaged 101. points per game and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 53% from two and 31% from the three-point line in 31 appearances this past season. Of the three prospects, he is probably the one who is most NBA ready.

The 21-year old has his fair share of weaknesses but he could be good enough to excel as a role player on any team’s bench in the NBA.

Next: 5 players Charlotte should avoid in 2017 NBA Draft

If the Charlotte Hornets do choose to go with a draft and stash player in the second round, they should seriously consider these three players. Maybe one of these prospects could end up being the next Manu Ginobili and make a serious impact in the league for the team. If you’re interested, here’s a number of other potential draft and stash players.