For all the chatter surrounding the Charlotte Hornets possessing the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, it’s easy to forget that the team will also be on the clock with the 27th selection too. While finding a genuine difference-maker so late in the first round isn’t likely, there is always a chance of obtaining a legitimate role-player for the future.
Assuming that the Hornets don’t package the pick in a trade before they make their selection, Mitch Kupchak could go in multiple directions as he looks to improve the raw talent on Charlotte’s roster. As such, the positional fit will likely be a secondary thought, as the front office should target the best talent available at the tail-end of the first round.
With PJ Washington (restricted), Dennis Smith Jr (unrestricted), Kelly Oubre Jr (unrestricted), and Theo Maledon(restricted) all hitting free agency, there will be plenty of roster spots up for grabs. With that in mind, here are three players the Charlotte Hornets should target with the 27th draft pick.
#3 James Nnaji
I know what you’re thinking; the Hornets already have some developmental talent in the center of the court, with both Nick Richards and Mark Williams. However, given the dominance of multi-skilled big men in the NBA right now, having a versatile center with exceptional length and athleticism is never a bad thing.
James Nnaji is currently playing for Barcelona of the Liga ACB – one of the best leagues in Europe and has also amassed two years of EuroLeague experience, playing against some of the most talented players outside of the NBA. This season, Nnaji has placed 26 Liga ACB games, averaging 4.9 points and 3 rebounds per game in 12 minutes of playing time. When participating in EuroLeague basketball this year, Nnaji has averaged 2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6 minutes of playing time.
Nnaji is certainly a raw prospect at the NBA level, but the Hornets could either opt to stash him in Europe for a year or two to continue developing or hope that the step up in talent allows him to realize his potential at a faster rate. Regardless of his current skillset, Nnaji boasts all the physical tools to excel at the NBA level, standing at six-foot-eleven with a seven-foot-seven wingspan and a motor that would allow him to become a genuine rim-runner in the coming years.
#2 Andre Jackson Jr.
The Charlotte Hornets finished the regular season ranked 20th in defensive rating, as they struggled to find a balance when trying to contain their opponents. It makes sense, then, that Mitch Kupchak could be sold on a legitimate wing defender who could improve the team’s rotation from day one.
With that in mind, Andre Jackson Jr. could be just what the Hornets need. In his latest NBA Draft Big Board, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor wrote a glowing report regarding Jackson Jr’s defensive upside.
"“Tone-setting defender with excellent athleticism who is always focused off the ball and sits in his on-ball stance like a player who craves stops. And, in fact, he gets those stops against both guards and wings. If he can’t prevent a player from penetrating the paint, he remains engaged enough to activate his elite athleticism for high-flying blocks. Don’t move your eyes off the screen when there’s a rebound opportunity because Jackson makes some genuinely awesome plays on the boards, skying over defenders to snatch the ball.”"
At six-foot-six with a six-foot-ten wingspan, Jackson Jr. has the size and length to succeed at the NBA level, especially if he replicates the intensity he displayed throughout this past season with UConn. However, when selecting this late in the draft, no player is perfect, and the drawback for Jackson Jr. is likely to be his offensive skillset, having averaged just 6.7 points per game this past year.
Still, you don’t draft a player like Jackson Jr. for his offense – instead, you bring him into a core that already has its primary scorers in place, and ask him to help improve the team’s perimeter defense and overall defensive versatility.
#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.