In two weeks' time, the Charlotte Hornets will finally find out if they can capture Cooper Flagg in the 2025 draft. Fans are probably wondering who the team's representative in the lottery will be. Whoever they are, hopefully, they prove to be Charlotte's lucky charm and help it secure the No. 1 pick for the first time since 1991.
Winning the lottery and drafting Flagg would cause some more problems for the Hornets, but the Duke University product would check a lot of boxes for the franchise. So, picking him when presented with the opportunity would be a no-brainer.
However, if they get the No. 2 pick for the second time in three years, the Hornets should be looking at Dylan Harper, who once earned LeBron James' seal of approval. Some believe that taking the promising guard out of Rutgers University would spell the end of LaMelo Ball's tenure in Buzz City. That doesn't have to be the case, though, as the pair of floor generals might be able to coexist and solve the team's playmaking woes.
Hornets should look at drafting a potential defensive menace
It's worth noting that the Hornets have a 27.4 percent chance of grabbing a top-two pick in the draft. So, the organization and its fans must brace for the possibility of missing out on either Flagg or Harper.
If that happens, the decision-making for the front office would become more complicated. Perhaps Ace Bailey would be on top of its draft board because of the 6-10 prospect's multipositional versatility and two-way potential.
However, if Charlotte intends to continue building around Ball and Brandon Miller, VJ Edgecombe should receive heavy consideration from Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee.
The former Baylor University guard projects to be the most explosive athlete of the 2025 rookie class. He looked comfortable creating shots and making plays. And his 34.0 percent shooting from deep, while still concerning, should allow him to space the floor for Ball and Miller well enough.
Where Edgecombe is expected to help the Hornets' star duo more is on the defensive end, an area that he excelled in during his freshman year with the Bears.
Let's face it. While a backcourt pairing of Ball and Miller is pretty formidable on offense, it will have a tough time containing opposing ball-handlers.
Edgecombe could come in and slot at the two, eventually taking on the assignment of guarding the opponents' best perimeter player. Of course, he will still need time to come into his own and get a feel of the speed of NBA games. But if the 19-year-old's lone collegiate season is any indication, he should excel as an on-ball and off-ball defender in the professional ranks.