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NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for Charlotte Hornets

By Brandon Jefferson

CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: Charlotte Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak introduces James Borrego as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC- MAY 11: Charlotte Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak introduces James Borrego as Head Coach of the Charlotte Hornets during a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 11, 2018 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets could use an infusion of talent. Which player should they be focused on with the No. 11 pick?

Changes have already started coming for the Charlotte Hornets this offseason. Charlotte has been in and out of the postseason the last few seasons and the clock is ticking on owner Michael Jordan. Jordan knows this and didn’t sit on his hands; Mitch Kupchak was brought in as the new general manager and James Borrego was poached away from the San Antonio Spurs coaching tree. These changes are only the beginning of what could become a busy summer for the Hornets.

It’ll kick off with the 2018 NBA Draft where the Hornets hold the eleventh overall selection in the first round. There was no lottery luck for Charlotte this year (to be frank, over the course of their time in the NBA they’ve never really had any) and they remained in their draft slot following the ping pong ball draw. This year’s batch of incoming rookies is predicted to be very top-heavy, unlike last year. Chances of the team getting chastised for passing up on a Donovan Mitchell type of prospect is less likely this go around.

Bringing in a proven GM like Kupchak helps with that as well. Kupchak–with some help–was able to identify and land Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, which coincidentally enough he got as part of a draft-day trade with the Charlotte Hornets.

Below there’s a list of five potential fits for the Hornets, arranged in order of least likely to most likely to be available at No. 11 for Charlotte. While the main need for this team is likely a wing, the roster at this point is bare enough that the Hornets could take any prospect regardless of position. We kick things off with a player who was once considered the front-runner for the number one pick in this draft.

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