2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Arkansas guards, SEC prominent in lottery

The Hornets are the most depressing team in basketball right now. Aside from the joy one derives from watching LaMelo Ball, there’s not much to get excited about. The team is still paying Gordon Hayward north of $30 million, there’s no imminent solution to the Miles Bridges exodus that should make anyone feel good, and the young prospects outside of Ball continue to fall short of expectations.

Charlotte is unintentionally mired in a rebuild, and in today’s league, the clock is already ticking to build a competent team around Ball before the possibility of a trade demand arises. Charlotte’s biggest area of weakness, even with Steve Clifford resuming control of the team, has been defense. They just have no backbone on that side of the ball.

Enter Jarace Walker, who profiles as possibly the best defensive player of the 2023 draft. Built like a tank at 6-foot-9, Walker can evaporate passing lanes or swoop in from the weak side to erase shot attempts at the rim. He hustles relentlessly and is one of the rare mega-athletes who actually has the strength and quickness to feasibly guard five positions at the next level.

Walker’s tone-setting energy and defensive versatility would be a much-welcomed addition to the Charlotte frontcourt — especially after the team traded Jalen McDaniels, one of its best defenders, for next to nothing at the trade deadline. Walker also has some playmaking juice, constantly working from the elbow, carving out space inside with his chiseled frame, and working the ball to open teammates. He would pair fascinatingly with LaMelo.