The Charlotte Hornets have the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. What players should they consider taking with that pick?
Contrary to popular belief, the Charlotte Hornets and the rest of the NBA will not cease to operate next season due to the Golden State Warriors’ seemingly unstoppable dominance. That means there will be yet another NBA Draft on June 22.
The draft represents hope for many teams. It represents a fresh start. If you own a lottery pick, the draft offers you a chance to rebuild your franchise with a young and hopefully talented prospect. Draft night can have an impact on your favorite team’s outlook for years to come.
The Charlotte Hornets won’t be looking to draft a franchise-altering superstar with the No. 11 pick, but they will be looking to add a some youth to their rotation. There are several different directions in which they could choose to go with this pick.
Will they focus on upside and take a player that some might consider a “project”? Will they target an area of need, such as outside shooting, and take a player that is a bit more reliable and ready to contribute next season?
Given the depth of this draft, they could choose either path.
Charlotte has had some recent hits and misses in the first round of their last several drafts. In the last six years they drafted an All-Star in Kemba Walker, role players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky, and a trade chip in Noah Vonleh.
Their salary cap situation will make it difficult for them to acquire upgrades for their roster through free agency. They’ll have to successfully navigate the draft and the trade market to improve upon their 36-46 record from 2016-17.
What will type of player will they select this time? In no particular order, let’s take a look at few options that might make sense.