Where do the Charlotte Hornets rank in terms of future assets?

Where do the future assets of the Charlotte Hornets rank when comparing them to the rest of the NBA? Pretty much average according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. Pincus has the Hornets as 14th in his recent Ranking Every NBA Team By Future Draft Assets article.

"“Given that the Hornets won just 27 games last season, the franchise should be in a stronger position with its draft capital. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Charlotte still owes the first it gave to the Knicks (since re-routed to the Spurs) to get Kai Jones. While the pick has heavy protection (lottery through 2025, otherwise seconds in 2026 and 2027), Jones hasn’t done enough to justify the price yet. The Hornets don’t have any extra firsts. Having 6-9 second-rounders is decent enough, but overall, Charlotte has a very average list of draft assets.”"

Pincus notes that Charlottes owns their 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 first-round picks with the 2025 selection having contingent status. 2024 is notably absent as it was dealt in the above-mentioned deal for Kai Jones.

The Hornets have plenty of second-round selections coming up, with six picks guaranteed and three more that could come their way. Second-rounders are not the most exciting thing in the world to discuss, but they can prove valuable for making trades ahead of the trade deadline.

Not having their 2024 first-rounder and lacking any additional assets in that area hurts the Hornets from a team-building perspective. But that could change as the Hornets are a team with a few veterans who could interest contending teams, clearing the way for the youth movement to fully take over in Charlotte.

If things are off to a rough start or the team has improved but not enough to mortgage future assets in an attempt to make the postseason, the Hornets could move a couple of players. Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier immediately come to mind as a way for the Hornets to improve their draft capital in future seasons.