Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft: Expert and fan reactions

Like Hornets fans, experts have been in love with Charlotte’s draft as they’re excited about what they’re building for the future.

Just like the fan reaction, experts have been very excited about what the Hornets did in this year’s draft. There wasn’t a single negative reaction from any of the big-time experts. The only concerns revolved around the loaded backcourt Charlotte had and the very raw ability of Jones. Now with the exits of both Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk, there should be plenty of minutes for Bouknight while Charlotte believes in their player development staff to get Jones on track.

ESPN and The Athletic didn’t do standard draft grades, more so just gave their opinions about the picks. There were no negatives toward Charlotte but both of the sports media giants like what Charlotte did in the draft and think the Hornets are headed in the right direction.

Sports Illustrated’s James Woo graded both of Charlotte’s first-round picks with an A in his first-round grades article. Citing that the value of Bouknight at No. 11 was a great grab for Charlotte and that the Hornets may have just created their backcourt of the future. Getting their guy Jones at No. 19 is a project but an all-around exciting move as the Hornets look to add youth to its core.

CBS Sports was very generous to Charlotte grading Bouknight with an A+, Jones get’s a B- while Thor and Lewis both get B’s. Gary Parrish who graded the first-rounders again states great value in Bouknight at 11, a common theme among experts grades. While he’s skeptical of Jones’ ability to be great since he wasn’t very successful at the college level, Charlotte taking a chance on an athletic big was something that was bound to happen. Kyle Boone graded the second-rounders and likes the project of Thor and is fine with the “low stakes gamble” in selecting Lewis at 56.

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer was the only journalist to go against the grain giving Bouknight a B+ and Jones an A. He loves the fit of Bouknight alongside LaMelo Ball in the backcourt for the future and had Bouknight as his 6th ranked prospect on his big board so it’s unsure how this grade didn’t earn an A. O’Connor loves the fit of Jones at No. 19 as he thinks Charlotte was the perfect fit for him.

Over on Bleacher Report, Zach Buckley gave all of the Hornet’s first three picks an A (Thor got an A-), while Lewis earns just a C. Buckley loves what the Hornets are building with their first three picks with the value of Bouknight and fits of Jones and Thor. Buckley said the following.

"Save me a seat on the Hornets’ hype train, please. Remember how good they looked with a healthy LaMelo Ball last season? Well, they just turbocharged an already potent backcourt with James Bouknight and then threw two picks at the frontcourt with Kai Jones and JT Thor, both of whom have flashed shot-blocking and floor-spacing. Stock up in Charlotte, folks."

Fans and experts alike are in love with Charlotte’s draft which should leave everyone excited about what’s being built in the city of Charlotte. This is a class that will require patience but if player progression plays its part Charlotte should be a very fun team to watch in the coming years.