The Charlotte Hornets need to make a big splash in the 2019 NBA Draft. Who are some potential targets at the No. 12 spot?
Now that the Charlotte Hornets officially know where they are picking in the 2019 NBA Draft, they can focus on the best options for the various team needs despite a lot of different scenarios that could take place over the summer.
The 12th pick of this year’s draft will bring a lot of the same for the Hornets after picking 11th the last two years: a decent role player in a top-heavy draft. They should have their pick of big men at No. 12, but do they go with a solid production player or someone flashy to capture the attention of fans?
After not moving up in the lottery, the Hornets have a lot on the line here. In a perfect world, they retain Kemba Walker, convince Jeremy Lamb to stay and offload some of their massive contracts, namely Nicolas Batum.
Since the perfect scenario likely won’t happen, Mitch Kupchak has to make the most of what he has. There could be some advantage of trading this pick, but if that trade doesn’t result in clearing enough cap, it could be for naught.
If Kupchak does stay put and draft, he has to figure out which need to address. Interior defense may be the team’s biggest weakness, according to The Athletic‘s Rod Boone:
"“…most of the mock NBA Draft boards have the Hornets selecting a big man. It makes sense because the Hornets were severely outplayed on the interior most nights. Of their four main centers, no one is exceptional. They all have one particular skill they hang their jersey on.”"
Having an electric wing player is needed as well, someone to shoulder the scoring load with Kemba. Miles Bridges may not project to become that player and is needed in other ways, and if the team loses Lamb in the process of attempting to keep Walker, Batum is not the answer. Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon are also not ready for that role just yet.
The Hornets seem to be in a little bit of a no man’s land right now with their pick and a myriad of offseason decisions soon to follow. The player that can provide the most impact right away, regardless of position, is likely the way Kupchak goes on June 20. Here are five players he could possibly target.