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Charlotte Hornets: Taking a look at potential second round draft prospects

By Jerry Stephens

Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) drives around Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) during the second half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Kansas 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) drives around Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) during the second half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Kansas 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots the basketball against Iona Gaels forward Jordan Washington (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots the basketball against Iona Gaels forward Jordan Washington (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

We dive deep into the second round to find potential prospects for the Charlotte Hornets to select in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft.

The Charlotte Hornets hold the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. With the loaded draft class coming into the NBA this summer, there will surely be some diamonds in the rough that a team will find late in the second round. Although Charlotte’s front office doesn’t have the best luck in the Draft over the last few years, there are plenty of interesting prospects to select from this offseason.

The Hornets have not kept one of their second round picks since Jeff Taylor in 2012. After that pick, they have drafted and traded Dwight Powell (2014) and Juan Pablo Vaulet (2015). In 2013 and 2016, Charlotte did not have a second round pick. If they do decide to hold onto their second pick this year, there will be plenty of players to choose from.

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Taking a closer look at the 41st pick throughout NBA history, players like Cuttino Mobley, Willie Green and Jodie Meeks have been drafted at that spot. Over the past few years, Stephen Zimmerman, Pat Connaughton and Nikola Jokic have been picked there. If the Hornets could find a potential star like the Denver Nuggets did with Jokic, that would be the best case/dream scenario.

The more likely outcome and realistic expectation for the pick are for Charlotte to find a serviceable backup/role player. They could also take a project pick and select a young prospect with some upside. Either way, here are some options for the team to draft this summer:

Dillon Brooks

DraftExpress.com has Brooks going to the Hornets at #41 in the second round. The 21-year old just led Oregon to a Final Four appearance as he led the 32-6 Ducks with 16.1 points per game. After his individual play and the team’s success during March Madness, Dillon’s stock is at an all-time high. The 6’7 swingman has talent but the biggest concern for him going forward is that he is a bit of a tweener forward.

Still, in the second round, he could be a value pick for Charlotte. It’s unlikely that he ever develops into a superstar but the potential there for Brooks to be a solid role player sooner rather than later. Although the Hornets don’t necessarily need another small forward on their roster, Dillon would add efficient scoring off the bench as he shot 48.8% from the field and 40.1% from three during his junior season.

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