Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Grading the Charlotte Hornets’ Recent Draft Picks

By Adam Greer

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Feb 6, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) drives to the basket during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) drives to the basket during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

2012 Rd. 1 Pick 2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

This is by far the hardest pick of the bunch to grade because of the circumstances surrounding the pick. To start things off, the Bobcats were coming off of the worst season in NBA history (7-59, only 66 games because of the lockout shortened season) and had the best odds to win the 1st overall pick, aka the Anthony Davis sweepstakes.

Unfortunately the pick would go to the New Orleans Hornets, who oddly enough were owned by the NBA (conspiracy theories persist to this day), and would leave the Bobcats picking between everyone else.

The consensus around the league was that the second pick would come down to MKG, Thomas Robinson, or Bradley Beal (Future All Stars Damian Lillard and Andre Drummond would not have been picked second by any team therefore it is unfair to compare Kidd-Gilchrist to these players).

Thomas Robinson proved to be egregiously misscouted, while Beal and Kidd-Gilchrist have both suffered from serious durability problems during their short careers, with Beal even acknowledging he may need a minute restriction for the rest of his career. When compared to these two players, MKG compares favorably overall and you cannot fault Charlotte for their decision.

Kidd-Gilchrist would contribute his slashing ability and toughness on defense/boards immediately as his jumpshot (or lack thereof) would stifle his improvement. In the 2014-15 (when healthy) MKG proved to be one of the premier wing defenders in the NBA while also improving his shooting form thanks to Mark Price and nearly averaging a double-double at the small forward position.

Injuries would unfortunately limit him to 55 games two years ago and only seven games this past season. It’s really a shame, because just as his game looked ready to merit being drafted 2nd overall, his durability has had fans put the words bust and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist closer together than they’ve been since his rookie season. To grade this pick is a tug of war between uncertainty/durability and potential/production which ultimately leads to a B-.

Pick Grade: B-

Next: Cody Zeller

Home/Hornets News