Charlotte Hornets 2019 NBA Draft: 5 small forwards to target in first round

KZ Okpala

I’ve talked about KZ Okpala before, and I’m going to do it again. The more I watch him play, the more I like him.

To be clear, he’s going to be a project at the next level. He has a long way to go but the potential is evident. He’s long, athletic and has shooting potential as well. Okpala could end up being a steal if he can turn that potential into production at the next level.

Just like most of the other guys on this list, Okpala has tremendous size for a wing. He stands 6’9″ and has a 7’2″ wingspan which will allow him to play three or four positions in the NBA.

The sophomore is averaging 16.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Stanford this season, a big improvement from his freshman campaign.

Okpala is definitely a first round talent, but it’s hard to tell exactly where he may end up as of right now. I will say this, I would not be surprised if a team bets on his upside and snatches him up early in the draft.

Will he be on the board when the Hornets are picking? Quite possibly, and he would be an attractive target for a team that already has some young athletes.