The Charlotte Hornets stayed in the playoff mix to the very end, despite injuries to Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball, the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year. While the Hornets were unable to advance to the Play-In, it was a good season overall, especially in terms of what Hayward, Ball, Terry Rozier, and Miles Bridges were able to accomplish. Nonetheless, the Hornets have stiff competition in the Southeast Division, particularly from the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, and they must improve.
When healthy, Hayward looked like a max-level player, thus it’s logical to forecast Ball as a future star. In 2021, the Hornets will have another lottery pick to work with, but they didn’t make the top four, and there are some roster openings to fill. P.J. Washington has done a great job at center, but he may not be a full-time option, and Charlotte’s depth is dwindling. Devonte Graham is up for re-signing in the backcourt, and the Hornets may be short on wings right now, but the future looks bright.
Center, third guard, and wing depth are all needed on the roster.
Grade: B+ for James Bouknight (No. 11 overall).
Although I am not as enthusiastic about Bouknight as others, it is (much) simpler to support him at No. 11 overall. Charlotte has a lot of firepower in the backcourt, but Bouknight is a bucket taker of the greatest caliber. Long-term, it appears like he would complement LaMelo Ball’s distribution and creativity. Bouknight’s three-pointer may or may not go in the basket, but given his stroke, that seems like a reasonable bet, and he should return value here. With restricted free agents Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk, Charlotte gains some scoring insurance in the backcourt.
