Looking at the Hornets’ future draft picks

The Charlotte Hornets are a team with a lot of exciting young pieces that are intriguing for the future. When thinking about the future of a team it is always important to take a look at what their current draft capital is. With that said, it is appropriate to go through and analyze the current draft capital for the Hornets, starting with the 2023 NBA Draft.

2023 NBA Draft
(Denver’s) first-round selection, three second-round selections (Utah, Boston, and either {Oklahoma City, Washington, Dallas, or Miami})
In total, the Hornets have four draft picks in 2023, and the manner in which they acquired those picks is interesting. Their first round selection was originally owned by the Denver Nuggets, but the Hornets acquired this pick in the Jalen Duren trade. The trade detail is listed below.

The pick is now a Top-14 protected pick, but in all likelihood this pick will be transferred to the Hornets, as the Denver Nuggets are one of the top teams in the NBA.

The Hornets also got a second-round pick from the Utah Jazz in the same deal.

The Celtics’ second-round pick was acquired in the sign-and-trade involving Gordon Hayward. The move to acquire Hayward has seen mixed returns, but at least it was via a sign-and-trade, meaning that the Hornets got something in addition to signing Hayward. The details of that sign-and-trade are below.

The next pick is a bit of a mess. The Hornets will get either Oklahoma City, Washington, Dallas, or Miami’s second-round pick, depending on which pick is the least valuable. This should be cleared up once the 2022-23 season is completed.

2024 NBA Draft
Own first-round selection, two second-round selections (Boston and New York)

The Hornets still have their original first-round pick. Refer above for how they acquired the Boston Celtics’ and New York Knicks’ second-round selections.

2025 NBA Draft
Own first-round selection, No second-round selection
This draft is different from the rest as it is the only draft where the Hornets do not have a second-round pick. How did this come to be? Remember Brad Wanamaker? He was acquired at the 2021 NBA trade deadline in a deal with the Golden State Warriors. The details of the trade are down below.

It was a reasonable move at the time, as LaMelo Ball was dealing with a wrist injury that was thought to take him out for the rest of the season. The Hornets needed a backup for Devonte’ Graham and Wanamaker was the guy. Along with the Warriors needing a roster spot as well, a deal was made. Thus, the pick was shipped off to the Warriors, although it is a protected pick.

2027 NBA Draft
Own first and second-round selections
So far, the Hornets have both of their selections for the 2026 NBA draft. However, this could change if the Hornets and Jazz come to agree on a trade for Donovan Mitchell. If the deal is going to happen the Hornets will have to ship future first-round picks as the Knicks have lately been growing in the Mitchell trade market.

2027 NBA Draft
Own first and second-round selections
The Hornets still have their selections in this draft class.

2028 NBA Draft
Own first and second-round selections
The Hornets still have their selections in this draft class.

2029 NBA Draft
Own first and second-round selections
The Hornets still have their selections in this draft class.

2030 NBA Draft
Own first and second-round selections
Some teams in the NBA have already traded draft picks in the 2030 NBA Draft, but luckily the Hornets are not one of those teams. They still own the rights to their selections in this draft. Hopefully, the Hornets are one of the best teams in the league at this time.