NBA Draft Rumors: Hornets pick locked in, Wembanyama effect, Blazers trade non-starter

NBA Draft rumors: Hornets locked in on Brandon Miller at No. 2?

The NBA Draft lottery confirmed that the San Antonio Spurs would hold the No. 1 overall pick, and allow the team to draft another generational big man in Victor Wembanyama. With that, the NBA Draft officially begins at the No. 2 pick, which is held by the Charlotte Hornets. Besides Wembanyama, NBA G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson has had plenty of hype. Certainly, he would be the pick for the Hornets, right?

In his latest mock draft, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has the Hornets picking Alabama forward Brandon Miller with the second-overall pick. Here is what O’Connor writes:

"“All indications suggest the Hornets are leaning toward Miller with this choice as a partner for LaMelo Ball. I’d go in that direction too over Scoot Henderson because Miller brings playmaking skill in his own right, on top of his go-to scoring prowess,” writes O’Connor."

Miller was a superstar during his one season at Alabama, in which the team was one of the best in the country. In 37 games played, Miller averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while recording a 43.0 field goal percentage and 38.4 three-point percentage.

But during this past season, he was connected in the involvement in the death of Jamea Jonae Harris. Miller’s teammate, Darius Miles, was charged with capital murder for shooting Harris. Miller was alleged to have delivered the handgun involved in the murder to Miles, according to a law enforcement testimony. The gun had belonged to Miles. Miller has not been charged, as Tuscaloosa’s chief deputy district attorney revealed to AL.com that, “There’s nothing we could charge him with,” per the law.

Even with this off-court incident, the belief is that the Hornets will select him in the first round.