2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Who gets the star big men at the top?

For all this young Hornets roster has accomplished, it’s clear changes may be on the horizon. The team will be looking to re-sign Miles Bridges to a big new deal, restricted free agency is looming for P.J. Washington and both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jalen McDaniels are in the final year of their contracts. The Hornets will have some tough decisions to make as their finances get squeezed, which could open up some holes in their frontcourt. They’ve already plugged one by getting Mark Williams with the No. 15 pick and Tari Eason is another great value who fits the system.

Eason is a good athlete and great defender who should be an absolute terror running in transition with LaMelo Ball. He is the kind of player who can put up big numbers without needing the ball in his hands, crashing the offensive glass, finishing off cuts, gobbling up loose balls and getting himself to the free-throw line. At the other end of the floor, he’s incredibly disruptive, should be able to defend both 3s and 4s and play a good deal of small ball 5. He lacks some offensive polish, probably isn’t going to create much off the dribble except for a few face-ups against slower players and there are questions about his outside shooting, even though he hit 37.1 percent of his 3s last season. But he’s a two-way talent who fits perfectly with the ways the Hornets like to play.