The Charlotte Hornets are a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was founded in 1988 as an expansion franchise and has had several periods of success and struggle throughout its history. The Hornets have made the playoffs 11 times, but have never advanced past the second round. The team is owned by former NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who acquired a controlling interest in 2010.
The Hornets had five picks in the 2023 NBA draft, including the second overall pick, which they used to select Brandon Miller, a forward from the University of Alabama. The team also traded two of their second-round picks to the Boston Celtics for the draft rights to James Nnaji, a center from FC Barcelona. The other players drafted by the Hornets were Nick Smith Jr., a guard from the University of Arkansas, and Amari Bailey, a guard from UCLA.
History: The NBA draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. Historically, the vast majority of players drafted are college players, but some international players and high school players have also been selected. The draft order is determined by a combination of lottery, regular season record, and playoff performance. The team with the worst record has the best chance of getting the first pick, but it is not guaranteed. The draft consists of two rounds, with each team getting one pick per round, unless they trade their picks or forfeit them due to violations.
The NBA draft has produced some of the greatest players in basketball history, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and many others. Some of the most memorable drafts include the 1984 draft, which featured Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton; the 1996 draft, which featured Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, and Ray Allen; and the 2003 draft, which featured James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Here is a 2023 NBA draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the Charlotte Hornets:
Round 1 Brandon Miller (No. 2 overall): Miller is a 6-9 forward who can score from anywhere on the court. He led all freshmen nationally in scoring, averaging an SEC-best 18.8 points per game. He also ranked first in the conference in three-point field goals (106), second in both 3-point percentage (38.4%) and free-throw percentage (85.9%), and fourth in rebounds per game (8.2). He became the first player in conference history to win SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Tournament MVP in the same season. Miller is expected to be an immediate impact player for the Hornets, who need more offensive firepower and versatility.
Round 1 Nick Smith Jr. (No. 27 overall): Smith Jr. is a 6-5 guard who can create his own shot and play both on and off the ball. He averaged 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.8 minutes per game in his lone season at Arkansas, where he was limited to 17 games due to right knee management. He was a consensus top-three recruit in the country out of North Little Rock High School. Smith Jr. is a talented scorer who can provide some depth and potential for the Hornets’ backcourt.
Round 2 James Nnaji (No. 31 overall): Nnaji is a 6-10 center who spent the past two seasons playing for FC Barcelona in the Spanish ACB league and EuroLeague. In 2022-23, he saw action in 27 games, averaging 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game, while shooting 67.1% from the field. Nnaji is a raw prospect who has size, athleticism and potential as a rim protector and rebounder. He may need some time to adjust to the NBA game and develop his skills.
Round 1 Amari Bailey (No. 41 overall): Bailey is a 6-5 guard who was a member of the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team at UCLA. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 30 games played for the Bruins. Bailey is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and a competitive spirit. He could be a steal for the Hornets in the second round.
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The Charlotte Hornets have had five top draft picks in the last five years, starting from 2023 and going back to 2019. Here is a summary of their selections and grades:
- 2023: Brandon Miller (No. 2 overall) | Grade: A. Miller is a versatile forward who can score from anywhere on the court. He was the SEC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Tournament MVP in his only season at Alabama. He is expected to be an immediate star for the Hornets, who need more offensive firepower and flexibility.
- 2022: Mark Williams (No. 15 overall) | Grade: B. Williams is a 7-foot center who was a dominant rim protector and rebounder at Duke. He averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a sophomore. He is a solid pick for the Hornets, who lack size and defense in the frontcourt.
- 2021: Balša Koprivica (No. 57 overall) | Grade: C. Koprivica is a 7-1 center who played two seasons at Florida State. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore, while shooting 60.8% from the field. He is a project player for the Hornets, who hope he can develop his skills and strength.
- 2020: LaMelo Ball (No. 3 overall) | Grade: A+. Ball is a 6-7 point guard who was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020-21. He averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 35.2% from three-point range. He is a franchise player for the Hornets, who have benefited from his playmaking, scoring and charisma.
- 2019: PJ Washington (No. 12 overall) | Grade: B+. Washington is a 6-7 forward who was an All-Rookie Second Team selection in 2019-20. He averaged 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a rookie, while shooting 37.4% from three-point range. He is a valuable player for the Hornets, who can play multiple positions and stretch the floor.
ALSO READ: Boston Celtics Draft Picks 2023: Complete Round-by-Round List of NBA Celtics
FAQs
Q: Who is Brandon Miller and why did the Hornets draft him?
A: Brandon Miller is a 6-9 forward who can score from anywhere on the court. He was the SEC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Tournament MVP in his only season at Alabama. The Hornets drafted him because they need more offensive firepower and versatility. He is expected to be an immediate star for the team.
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Nick Smith Jr.?
A: Nick Smith Jr. is a 6-5 guard who can create his own shot and play both on and off the ball. He averaged 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.8 minutes per game in his lone season at Arkansas. His strengths are his scoring ability, his athleticism and his potential. His weaknesses are his knee injury, his defense and his consistency.
Q: How did the Hornets acquire James Nnaji?
A: James Nnaji is a 6-10 center who spent the past two seasons playing for FC Barcelona in the Spanish ACB league and EuroLeague. The Hornets acquired him by trading two of their second-round picks (No. 35 and No. 51) to the Boston Celtics for the draft rights to Nnaji, who was selected by the Celtics with the No. 31 pick.
Q: What are the expectations for Amari Bailey?
A: Amari Bailey is a 6-5 guard who was a member of the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team at UCLA. He averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 30 games played for the Bruins. The expectations for Bailey are that he can be a versatile player who can play multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and a competitive spirit.
Q: How do the Hornets’ draft picks fit with their current roster?
A: The Hornets’ draft picks fit well with their current roster, which features young stars like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington, as well as veterans like Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. The draft picks add more depth, talent and potential to the team, which should help them compete in the Eastern Conference in the future.
