Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and greatest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
With the draft less than a week away, the Philadelphia 76ers are exploring a trade with the Boston Celtics to move up to No. 1. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ final pre-draft workout, grading the team’s potential draft picks and Rich Cho says their first round pick have an immediate impact.
Kennard, Jackson, and Adebayo to work-out for Charlotte (NBA.com)
"In preparation for the 2017 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets hosted their seventh draft workout on June 18."
For their seventh and final pre-draft workout, the team will host Luke Kennard (Duke), Justin Jackson (UNC), Bam Adebayo (Kentucky), Rodney Purvis (UCONN), Tim Kempton Jr. (Lehigh) and Troy Caupain (Cincinnati). Kennard, Jackson and Adebayo are all projected to be first-round picks with the first two expected to go in or close to the lottery. As for the others, they will likely go undrafted but it is a good chance for them to prove themselves against top prospects.
Tim Kempton Jr.’s father (Tim Kempton Sr.) actually played for the Charlotte Hornets during their inaugural season in 1988-89. Before June 22nd, the team will have worked out a total of 42 prospects. There is a good chance that the team could take either Kennard or Jackson in the first round so this is a very important workout.
Grading the Hornets potential draft picks (AmicoHoops.net)
"With just about a week remaining until NBA commissioner Adam Silver kicks off this year’s extravaganza, Cho and the Hornets appear to have several options with the 11th pick. Below we’ll examine a handful of different perspectives from around the web, and grade each potential outcome."
Christopher Kreider grades Lauri Markkanen and Donovan Mitchell as “A” picks for Charlotte. He is less high on Zach Collins (B+), Bam Adebayo (B), Luke Kennard (B-), Frank Ntilikina (C+) and OG Anunoby (C-+). Of all the prospects listed, I would lean towards Mitchell. Even over Markkanen who is the higher rated prospect.
Donovan fills an immediate need for the Hornets and his style fits Steve Clifford’s scheme. On the other hand, Lauri would be another one-way player and another stretch big man. For me, Mitchell is head and shoulders above the rest of the players named.
Rookie will contribute right away (CharlotteObserver.com)
"Charlotte Hornets general manager Rich Cho said Friday he believes the player chosen with the No. 11 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft will crack the team’s playing rotation as a rookie."
Next: Hornets engaged in multiple trade talks
It is hard to find a rookie who can make an immediate impact on a team and that task becomes even more difficult at pick No. 11 which is where the Hornets will select. Although, because of how deep this draft class is, there is a good chance that whoever they draft will be able to step into the regular rotation from day one. Expect Charlotte’ first round pick this year to play around at least 20 minutes per game this upcoming season.