If it isn't clear by now, the Charlotte Hornets should pick up VJ Edgecombe if he's available at No. 4 in the draft. He appears to be everything they need and more. Some might be wondering, though, whether the promising swingman would want to start his career with Charlotte, which doesn't exactly have a rosy reputation among some current NBA players.
The Hive would be pleased to hear, though, that Edgecombe reportedly impressed the Hornets during a meeting. According to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, the top draft prospect had an "excellent interview," which establishes further why he is the most obvious choice for Charlotte.
Bringing him in just makes too much sense for the Hornets. A high-motor, high-flying wing who can take off the task of guarding the opponents' best perimeter player from LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller sounds like a great, sustainable plan.
As O'Connor and other scribes have already mentioned, Edgecombe can be a threat as a spot-up shooter and slasher. He still needs to hone his offensive skills, but playing alongside Ball, Miller, and even Miles Bridges and Tre Mann could alleviate the pressure of having to rush his shot-making development.
VJ Edgecombe's edge over the alternatives
Some folks might make a strong case for Ace Bailey as the better option for Charlotte, and they could end up being right. After all, Bailey's offensive acumen is already more polished, which could give a massive boost to the Hornets' last-ranked offense. He has also expressed excitement about the idea of playing with their rising star duo.
Even Tre Johnson could be a more reliable piece for Charlotte. The swingman out of the University of Texas has been praised for his deep bag as an on-ball and off-ball scorer.
Still, Edgecombe's potential to be a two-way star will be too good to pass up. If the Hornets want to continue building around Ball and Miller, they must aim to bring in complementary pieces, and VJ seemingly fits the bill. Learning that he can carry himself well in interviews only reinforces the notion that he is the perfect choice for Buzz City.
Of course, no matter how much people make a push for Edgecombe to land with the Hornets, it will all depend on what happens with the No. 3 selection after Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper have been taken off the board.
The Philadelphia 76ers can spoil Charlotte's plan by stealing its preferred prospect. Jeff Peterson and company can try to prevent that scenario by trading up a spot in the draft. Such a move might cost at least a couple of second-round picks, but Edgecombe could likely make it worth it for the Hornets.