The Charlotte Hornets seem resigned that they are already on the way to another losing campaign. Longtime Hornets reporter James Plowright even said the players know the season is over.
Perhaps that has been the plan all along, especially after injuries plagued several of the team's core pieces. It's worth noting that almost all of its rotation players have sustained injuries in the first months of the 2024-25 campaign.
So, the organization's scouting department has likely already been working hard to analyze which of the 2025 NBA Draft prospects will be a great fit for the organization. Most eyes are on Cooper Flagg, who many pundits believe should be the first overall pick.
Flagg can fill several holes on Hornets' roster
With the way Charlotte's season has turned out, it won't be surprising to see it grab one of the best odds of landing the No. 1 selection. It doesn't even have to tank all the way to the bottom. Since 2019, each of the three teams with the worst regular-season records has a 14.0% chance of securing the first pick.
In the event that the Hornets win the lottery, chances are they will use the pick on Flagg. Rutgers University teammates Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper also definitely deserve consideration.
However, the Duke University standout appears to have a higher ceiling than Bailey, and Harper plays the same position as LaMelo Ball. Some folks have called on the franchise to trade its star for more assets. In that event, the second-generation hoopster wouldn't be a bad consolation, especially since Charlotte can build Harper, Brandon Miller, and the first-round picks it should demand in exchange for Ball.
But until something drastic happens from now until the offseason, Flagg is the top prize of the 2025 draft. And he seems to be a perfect match for the Hornets.
Not only does he play college basketball in the same state, but he also fills a positional need for the squad. A starting five of Ball, Miller, Flagg, Miles Bridges (or another forward), and Mark Williams looks impressive.
According to Jeremy Woo of ESPN, Charlotte would be a good situation for the highly touted prospect because he wouldn't have to be tasked with being the franchise savior. Instead, he would be able to focus on maximizing his defensive impact while also providing offensive help for Ball and Miller.
Flagg might have to develop his outside shot more, though, as he has shot just 25.0% from 3-point land in his first 12 games with Duke. On the other hand, even if his range doesn't extend beyond the arc, he should still be the Hornets' prime target in the summer of 2025.