This Prospect Should Be The Hornets’ Number One NBA Draft Target

The Charlotte Hornets had an incredible 2021-2022 regular season, bumping their number of wins to 43, which is 10 more than last season. While they have an offense that is number one in assists per game and top five in points per game and three-pointers made, a better defensive frontcourt would be just the thing they need to be a future title contender.

Let’s face it, Mason Plumlee is a good player, but he should not be a team’s number one option at center, especially not as an anchor on the defensive end. Although there are several players that they could pursue for this position in free agency such as Rudy Gobert and Marvin Bagley, these players are likely to be pursued by other teams as well and will likely ask for a hefty contract.

For this reason, Charlotte should turn its attention to the 2022 NBA Draft. Considering they will likely have have a pick no later than 14th, this gives them the perfect opportunity to look into the realm of college basketball and draft a big man who is a skilled rim-protector. Luckily for the Hornets, there is one player who fits that mold perfectly and is projected to be picked right around the point in the draft when Charlotte will be on the clock.

The Hornets are projected to have the 13th or 14th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and that is perfect placement for them to draft Duke center Mark Williams, who averaged 11.2 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 2.8 blocks per game in just 23.6 minutes per game this season and won the ACC Defensive Player Of The Year Award.

Williams is a dominant finisher around the rim and a great interior defender. His skillset is exactly what the Hornets need in a center upgrade: someone who will anchor their defense.  Williams has a reported 7’7″ wingspan, and not only can he finish at the rim and block shots, but he also is one of the most athletic centers in college basketball.

Even if he starts off as a backup, Williams’ presence on the roster can give Montrezl Harrell more opportunities to play at the power forward position, which is his best position.

Drafting Williams would add more depth to Charlotte’s frontcourt and would please all parties involved, especially since James Borrego (who notoriously gave rookies very little playing time) is no longer the head coach.

Williams likely wouldn’t be the answer to all of Charlotte’s defensive problems, but he would definitely add some much needed rim protection.