Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft Profile: Brandon Boston Jr.

The Charlotte Hornets need to add more scoring to their bench. Should the Hornets move on from Devonte’ Graham or Malik Monk before the trade deadline on March 25 or in free agency, this need will become even more urgent.

The second unit has gotten a boost with Graham’s return from injury. Graham and Monk make up a reliable one-two punch for Charlotte’s bench. Outside of those two players, the Hornets have no other scoring options that will produce night in and night out. This is not a dig at Miles Bridges, but scorer doesn’t come to mind when you think of Bridges and at some point, the Hornets are going to have to make up their minds about if and where Caleb and Cody Martin fit in the team’s future. Kentucky’s Brandon Boston Jr. could be an option for the Hornets in the 2021 NBA Draft to address their scoring needs on the bench.

Boston is young, he just finished his freshman season at Kentucky. The Wildcats weren’t selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament, so barring Boston making the decision to go back for his sophomore season, the next time we see him will be in an NBA uniform.

In 25 games this season, Boston averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, playing 30.3 minutes per contest. His numbers from the field were down from what was expected of him, Boston shot 35.5% from the field and 30% from three. He struggled early on during the season, but got his confidence back and started to improve as the season progressed.

Boston is 6-7 with a 6-10 wingspan; he has good length and reach. He has the size and length to create his shot in many different ways. He can create scoring opportunities in the mid-range and from three. Boston is an effective halfcourt player who can penetrate off the dribble and finish above the rim. He reads and reacts well, takes what the defense gives him, and draws fouls at a high rate; Boston is a smart basketball player.

Boston plays good defense for a wing and rebounds well for a player his size. Boston would benefit from adding to his frame and gaining strength; he doesn’t play through contact well yet. His quick release and shooting form are good and he shoots the ball well off the dribble; the key, as stated earlier, is going to be Boston regaining his confidence, when he does so, the shots will start to fall back in.

The Hornets have a bigger need in the middle, but if that’s addressed prior to the draft, Boston would be a great prospect to add to the bench to potentially backup Gordon Hayward at the small forward position.