NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Is LaMelo Ball destined to join the New York Knicks?

Anthony Edwards has the highest ceiling of anyone in the class as a primary wing scoring threat and he showed off the full package at Georgia — averaging 19.1 points per game and shooting nearly 70 percent at the rim with only about two-thirds of his interior attempts being self-created and unassisted. However, he also showed off shaky shot selection, questionable decision-making, inconsistent defensive effort and finished with a 29.4 3-point percentage. The hope is that his general efficiency surges with reps and a more discerning approach to pull-up jumpers.

The Hornets have interesting pieces, with P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham. An elite big man to tie the whole package together might be their first choice but that player just isn’t in this class. Taking Edwards gives them perhaps the best odds at landing a star and an excuse for splitting up the Rozier-Graham, double point guard backcourt. Sometimes having the first pick can feel like a trap, having all the options means higher expectations and more opportunities to get it wrong. But Edwards a home run swing who actually makes sense, situationally for the Hornets right now.

Learn more about Anthony Edwards with our full scouting report.