If the NBA season ended today, the Charlotte Hornets would be lottery-bound again. Thankfully, the 2026 draft class is projected to be a strong class, especially at the top. Taking an early look into the future, if the Hornets were able to secure a high lottery pick in 2026, there are three prospects right now who have immense talent and who would fit perfectly on the Charlotte roster.
Duke’s Cameron Boozer is a dominant force
Assuming LaMelo Ball’s ankle injury concerns are behind us, Cameron Boozer would be a delight to have in Buzz City. He is happily averaging 22.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 58/39/76 shooting splits. The son of former two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer has been sensational for Duke University so far this season, with dominating performances recently against the No. 22-ranked University of Arkansas and Howard University.
The versatile 6’9” forward brings everything to the table on the offensive end. His ability to score at all three levels is showcased in every game, as he can finish above the rim, take a midrange jumper in your face, and has a competent three-point shot. At this point, the younger Boozer is almost certainly a lock to go in the top three picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Adding Paolo Banchero 2.0 is a surefire ceiling raiser for the Hornets.
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa is pure cinema
Rim pressure is definitely a weakness for the Hornets. Enter AJ Dybantsa, who is a pleasure to watch when he’s exploding to the basket with his long strides and polished finish at the rim. He reminds me of a taller Jaylen Brown in that aspect. The 6’9” wing is averaging 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest on 52/38/76 shooting splits.
Dybantsa has traits you can’t teach, and that’s where the upside comes in. While he has the potential to effectively guard multiple positions, I would like to see him do it more consistently at the collegiate level first. All in all, the hype is warranted with the Brigham Young University standout, and the Hornets would be ecstatic to have him in teal and purple.
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson is turning heads
The University of North Carolina's Caleb Wilson is being overshadowed by the other top prospects, but make no mistake about it: He’s on a mission. Wilson is averaging 19.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 59/25/77 shooting splits. Lob City 2.0 could be in full effect with Wilson. The 6’10” forward has great length, a high motor, and his two-way impact could really move the needle for this Hornets roster.
NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock sums Wilson up perfectly: "Wilson’s length, athleticism, and versatile skill set are undeniable. While he still has room to become a more disciplined player overall, his upside is about as high as anyone’s in the country, and this year, that’s saying a lot."
The upside is there, just like with Dybantsa. But the floor is lowered due to his lackluster three-pointer and inconsistency at the free-throw line. Still, he's not as raw a prospect as Tidjane Salaun was coming out, and it would still be a win if the Hornets landed him on draft night.