Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets will pick 13th and 15th in the upcoming draft. If they don’t walk away from it with a center, something has gone horribly wrong.
It’s a position of desperate need for this club. Luckily, it’s one the Hornets should be able to fill pretty easily this summer. Trading down could be in the cards for them no matter which direction they choose.
If the Hornets get their big man at 13, they could absolutely look to trade down at 15. Having acquired their biggest need, why not turn that pick into an additional asset or two? They’ll certainly have an option or two with that first selection. One of Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, Walker Kessler or Christian Koloko will surely be left on the board.
If the Hornets’ internal evaluations don’t love the remaining big man (or men), they could use that pick to trade down and land one. Perhaps the Rockets would send them Christian Wood and their 17th overall selection in exchange for the 13th pick, for example.
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Having two picks in the same range gives the Hornets optionality. Look for them to at least consider the option of trading down.