2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Pistons face difficult choice at No. 2

Another impossibly fun backcourt forged in the fires of lottery-bound purgatory. The Hornets might just be the most directionless team in the NBA, barely tethered to relevancy by the simple fact that Golden State made the inexplicable decision to pass up LaMelo Ball with the No. 2 pick a few years ago.

Now Scoot joins the mix and things start to feel exciting. Henderson has drawn comparisons to the Russell Westbrook of old for his explosive downhill attacks and blustering competitive verve. He wants to embarrass you, and more often than not, he succeeds.

Henderson is already comfortable picking apart defenses out of the pick-and-roll. He reads the floor well and is virtually impossible to stop once he gains a step on his defender. Shot selection and some worrying 3-point variance have led many to question Scoot’s standing near the top of draft boards, but they’re overthinking it. He moves like a tank-Ferrari crossbreed, he can score from anywhere on the floor, and he’s a determined defensive stopper with a 6-foot-8 wingspan.

The fit with Ball is interesting, as Henderson has never really spent much time off the ball. He’s a point guard through and through, but the modern NBA is full of successful lineups featuring multiple ball-handlers. If Henderson can consistently hit spot-up 3s, one has to imagine he would benefit from LaMelo’s gravity and playmaking acumen (and vice versa).