The NBA draft lottery has concluded and the San Antonio Spurs have won the right to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama. However, the Charlotte Hornets did not do too badly for themselves either, moving up from the fourth-best odds to finish with the second overall pick. These results have raised new questions for Charlotte; namely, will they select the best talent available in Scoot Henderson, or will they fill a position of need by drafting Brandon Miller? Here are three reasons why Henderson should be the choice.
The Charlotte Hornets should draft Scoot Henderson for his on-court production
Henderson averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in 19 appearances with NBA G League Unite last season. Despite standing 6-foot-2, Henderson has a 6-foot-9 wingspan, which allows him to be an even more impactful defender than other guards his size. His athleticism allows him to playmake on the offensive end, whether it be getting to the basket for himself or setting up his teammates with scoring opportunities.
The one clear weakness in Henderson’s game is his shooting; he shot just 27.5% from three-point range last season while shooting 42.9% from the field and 76.4% from the foul line. In the modern NBA, where even big men can often stretch the floor and knock down threes, Henderson will need to at least become a passable shooter in order to keep defenders honest. Fortunately, Henderson is being mentored by the greatest shooter of all time in Stephen Curry, who just so happens to be a Charlotte native.
While the backcourt fit alongside LaMelo Ball might not be ideal, Henderson is not concerned about the potential pairing, going on record to say “”I think I’d fit in with Melo and the way they play over there. I think I can play off the ball and on the ball …”. The Hornets are at a stage where they should be drafting the best talent available rather than drafting to fill the biggest need, and Henderson will be the best talent on the board when the Hornets are selecting.
May 17, 2023; Chicago, Il, USA; Scoot Henderson talks to the media during the 2023 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Charlotte Hornets should draft Scoot Henderson for his intangibles
A 6-foot-2 guard from Marietta, Georgia, Henderson comes from a family of athletes. His father is a trainer and coach while his mother works in healthcare administration; together, they own and operate the “Next Play 360” training complex in Marietta. Amongst his six siblings, Henderson has three sisters who played college basketball at the Division I level. Scoot shared the floor with his older brother C.J. during their time at Carlton J. Kell High School.
Henderson’s upbringing has helped shape his competitive mentality; as he says, “I just got that dog in me”.
“I think I just got that dog in me. I got it in me. Sometimes people got it on them, I got it in me… I’m the most prepared player in the draft, honestly.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 16, 2023
Projected #2 overall pick Scoot Henderson on the comparisons to Victor Wembanyama 👀pic.twitter.com/YEgeq7S9Sy
Henderson’s mentality would be a welcome addition to a Hornets roster that lacks veterans and vocal leaders. It is not often that a rookie can enter the NBA and not only be productive, but also become a leader and impact winning. However, Henderson has the tangibles and intangibles to do just that.
The Charlotte Hornets should draft Scoot Henderson because they do not need more off-court issues
After spending the better part of a year dealing with the aftermath of Miles Bridges’ arrest on domestic violence charges, the Hornets should not be in the business of adding any more off-court question marks. With Bridges appearing likely to suit up in a Charlotte jersey this season, adding the extra baggage that comes along with Brandon Miller would not be wise.
According to authorities, Miller drove a vehicle that contained the gun used in the shooting death of 23 year old Jamea Harris on January 15th in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Darius Miles, Miller’s teammate with the Crimson Tide, faces capital murder charges as a result. It is important to note that Miller was never arrested and was never charged, and according to sources was cooperative with law enforcement. However, the situation still reflects poorly on Miller and could be a harbinger of future poor judgment on his part.
It was clear that the aftermath of the shooting impacted Miller’s play, as he would shoot just 19% in three NCAA tournament games before the number-one overall seed Crimson Tide were defeated. In Alabama’s final game, Miller scored just 9 points on 3/19 shooting.
A player drafted second overall is not only expected to be a contributor on the court but is also expected to be a face of the franchise off the court. As a multi-billion dollar industry, the NBA and the Hornets care about their off-court image. This is the same reason why Ja Morant, while not breaking any laws, is in hot water again after a recent video showed him waving a handgun around in a car. In drafting Scoot Henderson, the Hornets would not only add a talented player to their roster but would also avoid adding another question mark.