Hornets work out NBA Draft prospect compared to 3-time All-Star

The Charlotte Hornets should be sick of losing by now, but while this summer should be about improving, they should also be looking to ensure that their future remains bright.

It’s not the time for Charlotte to be trading a bunch of young players and draft picks for old stars. Simultaneously, hoarding draft picks shouldn’t be Charlotte’s game plan, either. They should live somewhere in between.

One thing the Hornets absolutely shouldn’t do is trade the sixth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Whoever they take there will be a part of their core moving forward.

And they have been taking a look at plenty of prospects who could end up being selected in that range. One guy who has already worked out for the Hornets is Baylor guard Ja’Kobe Walter.

Charlotte Hornets work out Baylor guard Ja'Kobe Walter ahead of NBA Draft, who was compared to Khris Middleton

Back on June 12, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that Walter worked out with Charlotte, and HoopsHype’s database of pre-draft workouts lists him as having worked out for the Hornets, too.

In 35 appearances (all starts) for the Bears in his one and only season at Baylor, Walter averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 37.6% from the field and 34.1% from behind the three-point line.

Walter has earned some pretty impressive comparisons heading into the NBA Draft. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer listed Khris Middleton, a three-time NBA All-Star, as Walter’s NBA comparison.

According to O’Connor, Walter’s biggest strengths are being a movement shooter, being a pull-up threat, on-ball defense, and that he, quote, “got that dog in him.”

The 19-year-old, 6-foot-4 guard has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and could provide the Hornets with a healthy mix of defense on the perimeter and solid shot creation.

O’Connor lists Walter as the 16th-best prospect in this year’s class, with guys like Duke’s Jared McCain, Purdue’s Zach Edey, Pittsburgh’s Carlton Carrington, and the NBL’s Bobi Klintman around him on his big board.

If the Hornets snag Walter in the draft and he becomes anything close to what Middleton has been for the Milwaukee Bucks, having helped them win an NBA Championship, it would be a massive win.

This year’s draft is projected to be a mess, as there is no clear top prospect, but Walter would be a solid choice for the Hornets.