Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and greatest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
As the Golden State Warriors are set to hold their Championship parade, the rest of the NBA continues to hold pre-draft workouts. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ record over the next five years, the team’s sixth pre-draft workout and the top three prospects for them to look at.
Predicting Charlotte’s record over the next five years (BleacherReport.com)
"There are worse places to be stuck. The Charlotte Hornets might not be thrilled that it’ll be tough for them to break through, given their roster construction, but they have to at least be pleased they won’t be competing for one of the league’s most vomit-inducing records anytime soon."
Adam Fromal has the Hornets going 42-40 over the next two season then dropping under .500 (40-42) in 2019-20 and finally taking a big step back by going 35-47 (2020-21) and 34-48 (2021-22). Honestly, those predictions are rather disappointing. Charlotte’s trodden mediocrity for years and according to this article, that will continue for another five seasons.
While this outcome isn’t desirable, it does seem realistic. Unless the team gets a superstar in the draft or through free agency, they will probably be fighting for a low seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the next few years. At least it is a step forward from having a 7-59 record.
Hornets host sixth pre-draft workout (NBA.com)
"In preparation for the 2017 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets hosted their sexth draft workout on June 16."
Charlotte’s set to host Tony Bradley (UNC), John Collins (Wake Forest), Frank Mason III (Kansas), Derrick White (Colorado), Tyler Dorsey (Oregon) and Sterling Brown (SMU) in their sixth pre-draft workout on Friday, June 16th. All six of these prospects are expected to be drafted either in the first or second round this year. Collins is a fringe lottery pick while Bradley and White will probably be late first round selections.
Mason, Dorsey and Brown are all viable options for the Hornets in the second round. This group is loaded with talent. The Jayhawks’ point guard was even named the NCAA Player of the Year (John R. Wooden Award).
Top three prospects to draft for the team (TheWinningTake.com)
"The Hornets a still in the rebuilding stages but, have tons of potential with the players and coaching staff they have. There are three players in the NBA Draft that can help Charlotte currently and in the future."
Next: Hornets schedule pre-draft workout with Justin Jackson
Cole Henderson details why Justin Jackson, Zach Collins and Luke Kennard could all be possible options for Charlotte at No. 11. All three bring something different to the table but they all also have their holes like Jackson’s age/limited upside, Collins is a bit unproven and Kennard is a poor defender. Every prospect will come with a bit of downside but these prospects would offer something the team could use going forward.