NBA Mock Draft 2019: The Pelicans are in the driver’s seat
. C. Texas. Jaxson Hayes. 12. player. 170
Charlotte, like many of the teams in this part of the draft, recently changed its brain trust and thus at the very least is getting a longer leash from ownership as things currently stand. So what we may believe about how Michael Jordan approaches the draft could actually be more colored by how Rich Cho approached the draft, and therefore mean nothing now.
"“We’re talking to a lot of teams. We would like to move up. Historically, if you look at what it costs to move up four slots or two slots or five slots, a lot of times it’s an expensive” transaction."
Kupchak also added he doesn’t expect Charlotte to be in the market to move back in the draft, indicating that they have a group of players that they like at No. 12 and likely won’t use this draft pick to move off of one of their big contracts. It wouldn’t be pretty to get rid of good players at the same time you’re trying to convince Kemba Walker to potentially take less money to stick around.
That all means that unless the Hornets can find good value in a deal to move up (maybe to No. 10 if Atlanta deals the pick and the receiving team wants to keep moving back), they will draft someone here. Though they brought in Goga Bitadze this week, Hayes remains the most likely candidate, bringing a Power 5 pedigree the Hornets have always loved. Hayes also fits a need that coach James Borrego has harped on since he took over: rim protection. As a long-term center next to Miles Bridges at combo forward, Hayes is an intriguing fit for sure.