We are in the opening stages of our At The Hive Community Mock Draft. The first three picks have been made, so it’s time for the Charlotte Hornets to make their pick. This is a team effort, so the pick will be whoever gets the most votes from the community.
The first three picks:
- Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke
- San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers
- Philadelphia 76ers: Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers
There are four players that are the most likely to be in play, so that’s where we’ll cut off the vote.
VJ Edgecombe is arguably the best athlete of the draft. He’s a tremendous defensive play maker and straight line attacker with a good spot up jumper. He has a lengthy highlight reel of chase down blocks and thunderous dunks. He would provide some defensive grit and complementary offensive skills alongside the Hornets current young core.
Kon Knueppel does everything well. His most defined NBA skill is his jump shot. He has a chance to plug in and immediately become a 40% 3-point shooter. The rest of his game lacks flash, but it’s all effective. He’s a good secondary play maker and finisher in the paint despite being a below the rim player. He’s not a positive on defense, but he plays well positionally and has done a decent job overcoming athletic limitations to this point.
Tre Johnson is a bucket getter with flashes of more offensive play making. He rivals Knueppel as the best shooter in the draft but has a more robust body of work when it comes to self creation getting to his jumper. He also tested very well at the combine. He hasn’t been a difference maker defensively yet, but the shooting ability is enticing.
Jeremiah Fears was one of the youngest players in college basketball last season but still proved to be very difficult for anyone to guard. He has arguably the best handle in the draft and uses his off arm and body to absorb contact better than most players his age and weight class. There is a lot of rawness to his game outside of the ball handling and driving, but he brings a very clear NBA skill.
