Rumor: Charlotte Hornets interested in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Charlotte Hornets may be targeting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they reportedly have interest in the projected lottery pick.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Charlotte Hornets have interest in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 11. The former Kentucky guard could go as high as No. 6 to the Orlando Magic and is also receiving interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 8. Although, it’s possible that SGA is targeting a move to the Los Angeles Clippers.
It was previously reported by Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated that if Gilgeous-Alexander were to fall, he wouldn’t fall past Charlotte. If Shai does want to land with the Clippers who hold two picks in the lottery (No. 12 and No. 13), the Hornets would have to pass on him at No. 11 which seems unlikely.
Update: Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted that if team targeting Shai don’t acquire Philadelphia’s pick (10th overall), then Gilgeous-Alexander “could go No. 11 to Charlotte.”
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SGA didn’t workout with any individual teams prior to the draft but instead has been training in Los Angeles. Deveney reported that teams that were interested in the 19-year old had to visit LA to watch him. Update: Jeremy WooCharlotte, New York and Los Angeles (Clippers) all saw him workout. ()
Shai has great size and length which makes him an intriguing prospect. He measures in at 6’6 with a 7’0 wingspan. NBADraft.net lists Ron Harper and Dejounte Murray as Gilgeous-Alexander’s pro comparison.
During his lone year at Kentucky, SGA put up 14.4 points per game, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Playing under one of the top college coaches in John Calipari certainly helped grow his game while in college.
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the top point guard prospects in the 2018 draft class behind only Trae Young and Collin Sexton. Although, some would argue that Shai’s stock is rising leading up to the draft while Young’s is falling. Still, all three should be lottery picks.
The Magic and the Cavs are the two teams to watch ahead of the Hornets when it comes to SGA. If they pass on the talented point guard, the Queen City team will be in prime position to select him. The question is, will they draft a player that they didn’t workout and may want to play for the Clippers and not for the Hornets?
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It will be interesting to see if Shai is still on the board when the Charlotte Hornets are on the clock at No. 11 or if Mitch Kupchak and company decide to trade up in order to secure Gilgeous-Alexander. He could be their point guard of the future and the perfect backcourt compliment alongside Malik Monk going forward.