3 players the Charlotte Hornets should target with the 27th draft pick

#1 Jett Howard

Let me premise this by stating the obvious: Jett Howard would need to fall slightly in the draft for him to be available with the 27th pick. However, if he’s available, he should absolutely be in consideration for the Charlotte Hornets.

Wings with genuine size, length, and a natural scoring ability are integral to a team’s rotation in the modern NBA, both in the starting unit and off the bench. As such, Howard’s offensive game could make him a legitimate threat in the Hornet’s second unit and provide the team’s bench with an additional three-level scoring punch.

Howard has participated in 29 games for the Michigan Wolverines this season, averaging 14.2 points, 2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting the rock at a 41.8% clip from the field and 36.8% clip from deep. Furthermore, Howard has good ball-handling skills for a wing of his size. It’s worth noting, though, that his defense will certainly need some work in order to stand up to the talent he will face in the NBA.

Still, Howard is currently being cast anywhere from the 17th pick to the 24th in mock drafts, making it difficult to put a finger on where he will actually land on draft night. One thing’s for certain, though, the Hornets have enough second-round draft capital to move up a few spots if they see him as an ideal prospect – or, they could hope his defensive issues see him fall into their laps.

Either way, if Howard is available, Charlotte would be wise to take a swing on his offensive upside.