Charlotte Hornets: 3 Prospects that fit LaMelo Ball’s timeline

The 2021 NBA Draft is days away and Charlotte Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak should be working night and day to finalize his draft board as he looks to continue building to the young core that Charlotte has built.

During Kupchak’s tenure as general manager, he’s brought in Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, and 2021 Rookie of the Year Award winner LaMelo Ball in the first round. Charlotte has also been fairly successful in the second round, finding contributors in Devonte’ Graham, Cody Martin, and Jalen McDaniels.

The draft strategy of the Kupchak regime isn’t too clear as some people claim; he tends to side with safer two-year players (Washington and Bridges) as opposed to high-upside players. This could probably be debunked with last year’s selections of Ball, and Vernon Carey Jr.

With Ball storming onto the scene, it is now crucial that the job of the Hornets front office is to bring in players who fit on Ball’s timeline. For the draft, this means bringing in rookies that can grow alongside Ball to be ready to compete in the playoffs.

Role players are needed, but when you have a mid-lottery pick you need to take full advantage of the potential that pick can bring. The Hornets are also blessed to have a good amount of cap space going into a free agency, where they can plug holes and be ready to compete next season.

Here are three prospects that fit Ball’s timeline.