The Charlotte Hornets were eliminated in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season. Charlotte fans have seen exciting play with young star LaMelo Ball but have not made it to the playoffs.
Ball is a dynamic young player, and the Hornets need to maximize the talent around him. While Charlotte is a young roster, they should be a playoff team next season.
Using the 15th pick could give Charlotte another young player to help build their core. The Hornets are in desperate need of a great center to add to their roster.
Ball thrives with a lob threat, and they could use a defensive force in the middle. Impending free agent Miles Bridges also leaves concern for finding an explosive wing if they don't believe they can bring him back.
With that said, here are the two best options for the Hornets with the number 15th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
2 best options for the Hornets with 15th pick
2. Forward Malaki Branham
Malaki Branham is one of the more intriguing forwards in the draft. Branham averaged 13.7 points per game in his one season at Ohio State. He shot efficiently from the field with 49.8 percent from the field, 41.6 percent from three, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Branham can score at all three levels, which would bring more offense to the Hornets. Having a player that can score with the ball in his hands or without is crucial to playing alongside a star like Ball.
His shooting ability would be key alongside Ball, and his length could make him a solid wing defender.
1. Center Mark Williams
Mark Williams is a traditional center, which could be highly beneficial to the Hornets. Williams had a solid season, averaging 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 72.1 percent from the field. His shot-blocking ability was showcased with 2.8 blocks per game.
He has tremendous length, which allows him to protect the rim at an elite rate.
Williams fits exactly what Charlotte needs in a center and would be a great fit alongside Ball. He has a similar game to a player like Clint Capela, as a solid traditional center but not an elite scorer.
A weakness of his game is his inability to stretch the floor like a lot of modern centers in the NBA. However, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be a target for the Hornets. Charlotte already has a stretch big in P.J. Washington, as well as other shooters at different positions on the roster.
If Williams can develop a jump shot at some point in his career, he will be a perfect fitting center in the league.
The Hornets have some key decisions to make this offseason as they try to make it to the postseason. Surrounding Ball with the right pieces is vital over the next few years. He is one of the most popular young stars in the league, and many teams will be interested in bringing him to their team.
Keeping Ball in a smaller market like Charlotte compared to a city like Los Angeles or New York will be difficult. Giving him a great roster around him is essential, and drafting the right players is a big part of that.
If the Hornets end up keeping the 15th pick in the draft, selecting Branham or Williams would be good options. While one draft pick won't give Charlotte a solidified roster, it would give them an impactful piece.
Follow Us
Subscribe