Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: Unofficial 2018 NBA draft big board

By Noah Elmore

Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets 2017 NBA Draft (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 29: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the boys west team shakes hands with the fans after the 2017 McDonalds’s All American Game on March 29, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 29: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the boys west team shakes hands with the fans after the 2017 McDonalds’s All American Game on March 29, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

1. Michael Porter Jr. – SF/PF, Missouri

The 6’10” forward has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and it’s well-deserved. His long, lanky athletic frame gives him a physical edge over almost every other player he’d face on the perimeter. Porter Jr. also has an arsenal of offensive weaponry to choose from each time up the court. He’s a danger to pull up, cut to the rim, crossover, or run pick and roll, all of which with mastery.

Defensively, Porter Jr. has great instincts. In the 2016 U18 FIBA America Championship, he racked up 1.8 steals and 1 block per game. His 7’0″ wingspan allows him to gamble in passing lanes, make chase down blocks, and take up large swaths of an area. On both ends of the court, Porter Jr. is as polished as they come and is certainly ready for the potential to one day lead an NBA franchise to a title.

Then there’s the future fit with the Hornets that is absolutely tantalizing. With MKG and Porter Jr., Charlotte would feature a pair of lockdown defenders. The offensive onslaught provided by Malik Monk and Porter Jr. would be disastrous for opponents. And slotted next to Cody Zeller, Porter would be free to run point-forward pick and rolls.

Porter Jr. is close to a consensus number 1 pick in this draft. Any NBA team would be lucky to have him, but at the end of the day, it’s highly unlikely we see him in purple and teal.

Next: Hornets' Generic High School Movie Edition

The Hornets would have to miss out on the playoffs, and either finish poorly enough to warrant a top pick or hope for an incredible stroke of luck with the ping pong balls. In the weakened Eastern Conference, it would surely be a disappointment to see Charlotte sitting at home for the post-season. But maybe a miracle trade could happen, or the lottery gods favor Buzz City one day. Should that happen, Charlotte should prepare their big board with these candidates.