The NBA Draft Lottery ping pong balls weren't exactly kind to the Charlotte Hornets back on May 12. After heading into the lottery tied for the best odds at earning the number one pick, the Hornets' selection dropped down to fourth. But despite their unfortunate luck, it's feeling like there may be an obvious pick for Charlotte at number four if he's available — VJ Edgecombe.
When it comes to the consensus on who will be selected with each pick, this draft has gotten a little bit more structured as time has gone on. Cooper Flagg is of course the consensus number one pick, and it now feels like Dylan Harper is a near-consensus pick at number two.
That obviously leaves the Philadelphia 76ers as a bit of a wild card with the third pick. As a team in win-now mode, they may opt to trade the selection for a more established player. Should they do so, there's no telling what priorities their trade partner will have in selecting third overall.
So with that in mind, it's entirely possible VJ Edgecombe is off the board by the time the Hornets' pick comes around at fourth. But if the Sixers go with Ace Bailey, and the former University of Baylor guard is still available, it's an opportunity Charlotte will want to take advantage of.
Has anyone else noticed that the OKC Thunder have a lot of players in the mold of VJ Edgecombe and very few in the mold of Tre Johnson/Kon Knueppel
— James Plowright (@British_Buzz) May 18, 2025
VJ Edgecombe will likely be the best option at pick 4
When we look at Edgecombe, he's an extremely physically talented player. The type of explosiveness that he possesses is not common even among most guys currently playing in the NBA. It's this athleticism at both ends of the floor that gives the Baylor prospect a chance to become something truly special at the next level.
Slot Edgecombe in as the Hornets' starting two guard, and Charlotte immediately has a guy who can benefit heavily from playing next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He's much more defensive-minded than the aforementioned two players, and his ability to go to the rim and get a bucket off the bounce could lessen the offensive load on the Hornets' best players.
Overall, CLTure's James Plowright says it best in the above post. Edgecombe very closely fits the archetype of player we see on the Oklahoma City Thunder's roster right now. Versatile, defensive-minded, and enough shooting power to keep the defense honest. Employing a multitude of these types of players is what has the Thunder back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.
That's the mindset Charlotte should be adopting headed into this draft. We know that depth matters more now than it arguably ever has in this league, and VJ Edgecombe has the makings of a very solid building block for this Charlotte Hornets team going forward.