Charlotte Hornets: Undrafted Free Agent Watch List

As the Charlotte Hornets look to round out their roster for summer league play, here are 6 undrafted free agents we could see in purple and teal come July.

The Charlotte Hornets added Miles Bridges, Devonte Graham, and Arnoldas Kulboka as rookies on June 21st, 2018. However, they won’t be the only freshman rocking purple and teal this summer. When the Las Vegas Summer League rolls around, Charlotte will be signing some undrafted free agents to fill out the roster.

Last year’s Summer League squad featured 11 undrafted players. Treveon Graham is the most notable of the names, but others stand out as well, like Przemek Karnowski, Mangok Mathiang, and Rasheed Sulaimon.

Of the many names that went unannounced Thursday night, here are 6 that are worth a flyer for Charlotte.

1. DJ Hogg

Out of Texas A&M, the 6’8″ swingman possesses many talents, however, he doesn’t excel at any one skill. Hogg mainly plays as a shooter and was good for 38% from beyond the arc in his junior season. His wingspan is relatively short, and he’s a passable defender on the ball but will need to improve his awareness if he wants a shot at making an NBA roster. Editor’s Note: ill reportedly play with the New Orleans Pelicans in summer league.

Player Comparison: poor man’s Mikal Bridges, Reggie Bullock, Joe Harris

2. Billy Preston

One of the more intriguing players to go undrafted, Billy Preston is a former McDonald’s All-American with loads of potential. With a 6’10”, 235 lb. frame, Preston has all the physical tools to excel, and his soft touch all the way out to the three-point line makes him a tough match on the offensive end of the floor. Unfortunately, Preston has almost no basketball IQ and does not play team basketball.

Player Comparison: homeless man’s Kevin Love

3. Malik Pope

Hyped as a former lottery pick, Malik Pope enters the pool of undrafted free agents with more questions than answers. The big-bodied forward has struggled with injuries for the past 6 years of his career, going all the way back to his high school days. When healthy, Pope has been plagued by inconsistent play. His solid three-point shot, good interior defense, and versatility make him worth a flyer.

Player Comparison: Channing Frye, Nikola Mirotic

4. Deng Adel

The Hornets actually worked out Adel in the pre-draft process, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see the 6’7″ Louisville forward end up playing for Buzz City in Vegas. Coming to Louisville from Australia by way of South Sudan, Adel has many similarities with G-League center Mangok Mathiang. Currently, he’s not much more than a scorer at the SF slot, but with some polish and defensive work, Adel might join Mathiang in Greensboro.

Player Comparison: worse Corey Maggette, Chandler Hutchinson but inconsistent

5. Trevon Duval

A former 5-star prospect, Trevon Duval struggled in his lone season at Duke. He excels at playing downhill, utilizing his speed in deadly pick and rolls. However, Duval spent most of his freshman season deferring to more talented Blue Devils in Grayson Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. His mechanics are alarming, so he likely won’t ever develop a jump shot. That said, Duval is a great potential spark plug off the bench with his speed and energy. Editor’s Note: Will reportedly play with the Houston Rockets in summer league.

Player Comparison: post-ACL injury Derrick Rose, poor man’s De’Aaron Fox

6. Chris Chiozza

The Florida point guard is another player who worked out with Charlotte prior to the draft. Chiozza is a small-bodied point guard with a good feel for the game. The four-year man does struggle with his athleticism at times, and likely does not have a very high ceiling. Still, he’d be a valuable presence on a Summer League team as someone to run the offense.

Player Comparison: poor man’s Jameer Nelson, Tyus Jones

Next: What the Borrego hiring can tell us about the Hornets future

Every year, undrafted gems defy the odds and become valuable contributors to their respective teams. Hopefully, Charlotte takes a chance on one of these 6 players and ends up with a diamond in the rough of their own.