The Charlotte Hornets hold two first‑round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, and one of them could realistically be used on Nate Ament—at least according to Kevin O’Connor’s latest mock. The timing couldn’t be better for Charlotte, as Ament officially declared for the draft on Thursday after one season at Tennessee.
Ament entered this season widely viewed as a potential top‑five pick, but a slow start with the Volunteers and the overall strength of the class pushed his stock down. He even considered returning for another year to rebuild his value for 2027.
That slide could become Charlotte’s opportunity to grab a first‑round steal, even if they decide to grab another wing in the offseason.
Charlotte can’t afford to pass on Nate Ament if he slips out of the lottery
There’s a reason Ament was projected so highly early in the process. At 6’10”, he moves fluidly, flashes real shooting upside, and has the physical tools to become a switchable defender at the next level.
But there’s also a reason he’s fallen. In 35 games at Tennessee, he shot just 39.9% from the field. When a player struggles with efficiency in college, it naturally raises questions about how that translates to the NBA.
Those concerns are valid, but Ament brings one elite skill that’s hard to ignore: he lives at the free‑throw line. Per Sports‑Reference, he posted a staggering 57.8% free‑throw attempt rate, meaning he drew a trip to the charity stripe on more than half of his shot attempts.
That’s approaching Jimmy Butler territory. It may not always be the prettiest brand of basketball, but the ability to generate high‑percentage points at will is a real weapon.
If Ament falls outside the lottery and he’s there at No. 18, Charlotte shouldn’t overthink it. Players with his blend of size, tools, and foul‑drawing craft don’t come around often with a discount.
Nate Ament can fit well in the modern NBA
The NBA has fully embraced a positionless era. Instead of rigid labels like point guard or small forward, teams now think in terms of guards, wings, and bigs. Versatility is the priority. Skill across multiple areas is essential, and size and length only increases a player’s value.
Ament fits that modern mold and projects as a useful piece for almost any roster. The Hornets were strong at converting free throws last season but only mediocre at actually generating those attempts. Ament’s ability to pressure the rim and draw contact directly addresses that weakness.
Combine that with his length, size, ball-handling, defensive prowess, and real shooting upside, and you get a player who should carve out rotation minutes early. Even if he doesn’t have any one great skill yet besides getting to the line, his floor is a reliable role player.
If he sharpens his all‑around game even slightly, his ceiling rises to legitimate starter potential. His physical profile mirrors Tidjane Salaun, but Ament’s offensive toolkit is noticeably more advanced, even if the efficiency hasn’t caught up yet.
If he slips outside the lottery, the Hornets should give him serious consideration. A high-upside swing makes sense long-term, but Charlotte also needs someone who can contribute from day one with the No. 14 pick. Ament offers a blend of immediate utility and future growth that’s hard to ignore.
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