The Charlotte Hornets are officially one month away from the 2026 NBA Draft, and the direction of their board remains as murky as ever. One development, however, offers a glimpse into their process: according to Cody Taylor, the Hornets will host Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz for a pre‑draft workout.
Stirtz, who led Iowa to an Elite Eight appearance this past March, has steadily climbed into first‑round consideration. While teams often draft players they never bring in for workouts, an invitation at least signals genuine interest—especially for a prospect that feels like they have flown under the radar for much of the pre‑draft cycle.
Hornets GM Jeff Peterson has been vocal about his appreciation for this year’s guard class. Could he be the sleeper guard that Peterson targets on draft night?
A recent mock shows Bennett Stirtz heading to the Hornets
CBS Sports’ latest mock draft projects Charlotte selecting Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 14 and circling back for Stirtz at No. 18. Adam Finkelstein describes Stirtz as:
“Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots. Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. If Charlotte goes big at 14, they'll likely look for perimeter depth here with Coby White's upcoming free agency.”
It’s a compelling fit. Behind LaMelo Ball (whose injury history is well‑documented), adding a high‑IQ guard makes sense. Stirtz’s shooting and playmaking would immediately complement Charlotte’s roster.
In his lone season at Iowa, he averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists on 47.7/35.8/84.8 shooting splits.
Finkelstein also notes Coby White’s upcoming free agency. If Charlotte has even mild uncertainty about retaining him, Stirtz becomes a logical hedge in a guard‑rich draft.
The Hornets need more size and Stirtz doesn’t fit the bill
Despite his skill set, Stirtz doesn’t perfectly align with the Hornets’ stated desire to get bigger and more physical. At the combine, he measured 6’2.5” with a 6’6” wingspan. These are mediocre measurables and not the kind of size that moves the needle defensively in today’s NBA.
If Charlotte prioritizes length, switchability, and defensive upside, Stirtz isn’t the obvious choice. Still, adding depth at guard and betting on his feel and shooting to translate is far from a poor investment.
For Peterson and the Hornets, every option remains on the table. A workout gives them a closer look at Stirtz’s decision‑making, shooting consistency, and overall command. These are the areas where he should shine more than in raw athletic testing.
After taking a big like Morez Johnson Jr., drafting a guard does make sense as it’ll most likely be the best player available. Does Charlotte need another polished shooter and table‑setter? It certainly wouldn’t hurt.
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