With the 2022 NBA Draft less than a week away, here is our Charlotte Hornets 2022 NBA Lottery Mock Draft 1.0. The Hornets, who have a pair of picks at 13 and 15, are unlikely to keep both of their picks this year. Although it is fun to speculate a potential trade in the mix, this mock draft will be under the assumption that Charlotte is picking at 13 and 15.
*Important Note* While this is a mock draft, it will not reflect what I think will actually happen. Instead, this would be the way that I would go about this draft. I will also only be listing a sentence or two for why I believe each team will make their selection (other than the Hornets).
#1 Chet Holmgren, F/C, Gonzaga – Orlando Magic
Holmgren is the best player in the class by a pretty wide margin. It may be looking like Orlando is going to take Jabari Smith from Auburn, but that would be a sizable blunder in my eyes.
#2 Jabari Smith, F, Auburn – Oklahoma City Thunder
That being said, Smith is still an incredible prospect. With his size, shooting, and defense, he could catapult OKC to the next level of contention.
#3 Paolo Banchero, F, Duke – Houston Rockets
Houston has their guard of the future in Jalen Green. Here, they get their big of the future in Banchero.
#4 Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue – Sacramento Kings
This is what Sacramento does. They draft guards. They have guards. It never makes sense until you remember that it’s Sacramento.
#5 Shaedon Sharpe, G, “Kentucky” – Detroit Pistons
As the biggest question mark in the draft, Sharpe could provide Detroit with a nice complementary piece to Cade Cunningham.