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Do the Charlotte Hornets have a top-3 young core in the NBA?

By Dylan Jackson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: LaMelo Ball #2 and Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets react following a play during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on November 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: LaMelo Ball #2 and Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets react following a play during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on November 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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.

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