Best/Worst Draft Scenarios
(#9 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting SG/SF Mario Hezonja (Spain, 20 years old)
Much like quite a few teams above them, the Hornets are in dire need of outside shooting, and shooting guards in particular, especially after trading star SG Lance Stephenson. Because of this, it is unlikely that Hezonja (perhaps best shooter in the draft) falls all the way to number nine. However, this is the ideal scenario -- not the most likely one. The Horneets cannot trust SG/SF Gerald Henderson to be a 36-minute starter, oso adding quality depth behind him is a must. If not Hezonja, the Hornets will likely look to SF Stanley Johnson in the draft, and will try to address the need for premier shooting at the two-guard via free agency (perhaps SG/SF Danny Green).
Worst Case Scenario: C Willie Cauley-Stein takes a draft-day slide
Let me get this straight: Cauley-Stein is absolutely a top-10 prospect in the draft, if not top 5. However, unless another team trades up, every team drafting #3 through #8 does not need a center (with the exception of the Knicks at number four). This could cause a draft-day slide for Cauley-Stein, which presents an issue for Charlotte: they, like most other teams above them, do not need a center: C Al Jefferson mans that position, although it’s not impossible to see him sliding to power forward should the Hornets take Cauley-Stein. Because of this, it is highly possible that the wing players that the Hornets are targeting (SG/SF Mario Hezonja, SF Justise Winslow, SF Stanley Johnson) are all off the board by the time they’re on the clock. This would cause Charlotte to do a minor reach (or trade the pick to a team wanting Cauley-Stein) on SG Devin Booker, although he wouldn’t be a bad fit for the Hornets..
(#9 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting SG/SF Mario Hezonja (Spain, 20 years old)
Much like quite a few teams above them, the Hornets are in dire need of outside shooting, and shooting guards in particular, especially after trading star SG Lance Stephenson. Because of this, it is unlikely that Hezonja (perhaps best shooter in the draft) falls all the way to number nine. However, this is the ideal scenario -- not the most likely one. The Horneets cannot trust SG/SF Gerald Henderson to be a 36-minute starter, oso adding quality depth behind him is a must. If not Hezonja, the Hornets will likely look to SF Stanley Johnson in the draft, and will try to address the need for premier shooting at the two-guard via free agency (perhaps SG/SF Danny Green).
Worst Case Scenario: C Willie Cauley-Stein takes a draft-day slide
Let me get this straight: Cauley-Stein is absolutely a top-10 prospect in the draft, if not top 5. However, unless another team trades up, every team drafting #3 through #8 does not need a center (with the exception of the Knicks at number four). This could cause a draft-day slide for Cauley-Stein, which presents an issue for Charlotte: they, like most other teams above them, do not need a center: C Al Jefferson mans that position, although it’s not impossible to see him sliding to power forward should the Hornets take Cauley-Stein. Because of this, it is highly possible that the wing players that the Hornets are targeting (SG/SF Mario Hezonja, SF Justise Winslow, SF Stanley Johnson) are all off the board by the time they’re on the clock. This would cause Charlotte to do a minor reach (or trade the pick to a team wanting Cauley-Stein) on SG Devin Booker, although he wouldn’t be a bad fit for the Hornets..