When the Charlotte Hornets acted as buyers and not sellers, acquiring Coby White, at the trade deadline, it further signified their commitment to winning. So, in the draft this summer, it should be in their best interest to look for NBA-ready players at positions of need. FanSided’s most recent mock draft has the Hornets doing exactly that by choosing Yaxel Lendeborg and Thomas Haugh in the first round.
First off, it’s tough to gauge where the team will end up in the draft order this offseason. FanSided had it selecting 10th for its earlier first-round pick, but it is currently surging in the standings and could even avoid the draft lottery by reaching the playoffs. But if the Hornets’ pick does land in that range, Lendeborg looks like a seamless fit.
Bringing in plug-and-play pieces
As FanSided’s Christopher Kline succinctly put it, the Hornets have emphasized “character and well-roundedness” when looking for players to tack on the roster. It has worked well for them, so there’s really no reason to stray away from that strategy, and Lendeborg seems like a no-brainer choice if he is still available during the first time they are on the clock.
Some might scoff at the idea of adding the University of Michigan star, as he will be turning 24 by the start of the 2026-27 regular season. On the other hand, Charlotte has found success fielding older rookies, with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James also having decided to go pro later than their peers.
Lendeborg’s ability to impact the game in various ways would allow him to instantly become a part of the squad’s rotation. He could even challenge for a spot in the starting lineup because of his size and skills.
On offense, he has the handles and post moves to create shots for himself, while he can also operate effectively as an off-ball threat. The only knock in his game is that he is a streaky shooter. Meanwhile, Lendeborg’s versatility on defense would make him a perfect fit for the Hornets’ starting lineup, as he can guard multiple positions and serve as a help defender.
As mentioned, Charlotte has another selection later in the first round. It will be coming from the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, or Memphis Grizzlies — whichever is the least favorable. Chances are, it will land somewhere in the 20s. Fortunately, there will still be plenty of worthy choices available then.
FanSided has the Hornets choosing Thomas Haugh of the University of Florida. The junior forward is also another potential plug-and-play prospect, who helped the Gators secure the NCAA championship last season. He has the size, motor, and intangibles that the franchise would certainly appreciate.
It will be interesting to see how the Hornets approach the draft. They could even try to move up by packaging their pair of first-rounders. But if they can open up roster spots for at least two rookies, Lendeborg and Haugh deserve their attention, for sure.