Teams that probably don’t have a better young core than the Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have a few really nice young pieces – all of which have started to come together recently – and made the Cavs a serious opponent for a short time towards the beginning of this season. Evan Mobley seems like a great player, Darius Garland is an above-average point guard, and Isaac Okoro should be a solid role player for a long time.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They don’t have much else, but SGA is a phenomenal young talent. Additionally, Josh Giddey has looked promising early on. Other than that, it’s a whole lot of ‘maybe’. Aleksej Pokusevski? Theo Maledon? There are some players that are intriguing, but the Hornets have a better young core.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are probably closer than some people think – they have Cade Cunningham, of course, but they also selected both Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey in last year’s draft – both of whom look like great role players moving forward. Killian Hayes, well… He may not be that good. BUT! The Pistons’ future is looking up.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors shocked me when they decided to select Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs in the draft this offseason. It did not seem like the correct move at the time, but Barnes has been incredible over the first month of his NBA career, averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for a winning basketball team. Precious Achiuwa is also on the Raptors – and he’s been decent as well this season.
Sacramento Kings
Well, the Kings have Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. That’s pretty much it. I don’t have anything to add. Sacramento passed on Luka Doncic in 2018 and it doomed their franchise.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have a surprising amount of young talent: Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter, Mo Bamba, RJ Hampton, Chuma Okeke – and Cole Anthony is the only one of those players that looks like a future star at the moment. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – as these players are still developing, but in terms of ranking young cores, they are firmly below the Charlotte Hornets.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have two key young pieces: Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. They are both great players, but it doesn’t warrant Minnesota being above Charlotte.