As of now, the Charlotte Hornets currently hold the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The lottery system didn’t have any plans to move them up higher, but that doesn’t mean the Hornets can’t work something out. This draft class has a ton of talent at the top and should produce several players that will become household names – Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, and USC big man Evan Mobley, just to name a few.
It’s vital for the Hornets front office to become aggressive at this year’s draft. The 11th overall pick is a huge asset for them, and can very well be used in a package deal to move up and select a co-star to team up with LaMelo Ball for the future.
You look at the Toronto Raptors who hold the 4th overall pick after moving up in the Draft Lottery. It wasn’t too long ago, this Raptors team went on to win the 2019 NBA Championship. This Raptors team is more in a win-now mindset than they are building for the future. It would make total sense for the Raps and Hornets to swing a deal. Charlotte could tack on perhaps a future first-round pick, and some second-round picks.
Charlotte has a recent track record of making big deals at recent NBA Drafts; specifically, the 2018 NBA Draft when they swung a deal with the LA Clippers that ended with them receiving Miles Bridges for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and two second-round picks.
The Hornets already have a nice little back court, and could really use a big body to do the dirty work in the paint. There’s a good chance Evan Mobley could fall to the 4th spot and fall right into the lap of the Hornets. Mobley was more than stellar in his sole season at USC and has a great shot to win Rookie of the Year. This is a player that could take the Hornets to the promise land, and I truly mean that.
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There’s also a good chance that Mobley will go 2nd or 3rd overall in this draft. That could potentially leave Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga right on the table. We saw how much of an athletic specimen Suggs was during the Bulldogs’ insane run during March Madness. He’s clearly ready for the spotlight, as shown on his miraculous buzzer-beater that sent Gonzaga to the Finals.
I know the Hornets are solid in that category, but I’m a big believer in drafting the best available player. Things always work out for the best when using this strategy, and General Manager Mitch Kupchak has not been afraid to use it before.
Even if Charlotte stays with the 11th pick, there’s more than enough talent in this class to think that they can get a possible star player.