Raptors Board Mock Draft - CHA is on the clock (#4)

[OakleyDokely]

With the 4th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets select...

1. DAL - C Flagg (86%)
2. SAS - D Harper (91%)
3. PHI - A Bailey (53%)

4. CHA - on the clock

5. UTA
6. WAS
7. NO
8. BRK
9. TOR
10. HOU
11. POR
12. CHI
13. ATL

[HumbleRen]

VJ probably makes the most sense. Fits seamlessly beside B Miller, Lamelo too if they decide to keep him.

[OakleyDokely]

Everyone has VJ here, but the Hornets aren't afraid to go against consensus. They took Salaun last year at 7. They took Miller at 2 when most had Scoot as the 2nd best prospect. They like high ceiling guys with size, so I think they go with the player they view has the most potential. Wouldn't be shocked if they took Tre or even Maluach.

[PhilBlackson]

Everyone has VJ here, but the Hornets aren't afraid to go against consensus. They took Salaun last year at 7. They took Miller at 2 when most had Scoot as the 2nd best prospect. They like high ceiling guys with size, so I think they go with the player they view has the most potential. Wouldn't be shocked if they took Tre or even Maluach.

Yeah could def see them fumbling the pick

Not saying that Tre or Maluach would/will be bad picks/players. But VJ is just such an obvious fit and pretty much exactly what they need defensively but also his character to try and start shifting the culture in CHA to take the game more seriously.

[OakleyDokely]

Everyone has VJ here, but the Hornets aren't afraid to go against consensus. They took Salaun last year at 7. They took Miller at 2 when most had Scoot as the 2nd best prospect. They like high ceiling guys with size, so I think they go with the player they view has the most potential. Wouldn't be shocked if they took Tre or even Maluach.

Yeah could def see them fumbling the pick

Not saying that Tre or Maluach would/will be bad picks/players. But VJ is just such an obvious fit and pretty much exactly what they need defensively but also his character to try and start shifting the culture in CHA to take the game more seriously.

They've been pretty good with their top picks though. They've drafted Miller, Ball, Williams, PJ Washington within the last few years. The only big miss was Bouknight. It remains to be seen with Salaun though. He's two years away from being two years away.

[Lord_Zedd]

Edgecombe is such an obvious fit and BPA that it'd be draft malpractice if they outsmart themselves for another Salaun.

Other than Lamelo, CHA drafting "scoring" guards hasn't fared well with them in recent history.

[WuTang_OG]

They luck into VJ here but will prob fk up his development

[niQ]

It would be surprising if they didn't take VJ here.

[OakleyDokely]

I know I probably go against consensus, but I'm not a big VJ fan. I think he will be a solid pro but I don't see the offensive upside with him. He's an older freshman who turns 20 in July. He isn't a good shooter from the field or from 3. He isn't a great finisher around the rim. His handle isn't elite. I sorta see him as an athletic defensive guard who will be able to hit some open catch and shoot 3s, score in transition and defend the opposing teams best guard. Unless the shooting really comes around, your offense will be in trouble if he's one of your top 2-3 options. He projects more as an elite role player, which is fine, but I'm not sure that's top 3-4 pick worthy.

[Indeed]

I know I probably go against consensus, but I'm not a big VJ fan. I think he will be a solid pro but I don't see the offensive upside with him. He's an older freshman who turns 20 in July. He isn't a good shooter from the field or from 3. He isn't a great finisher around the rim. His handle isn't elite. I sorta see him as an athletic defensive guard who will be able to hit some open catch and shoot 3s, score in transition and defend the opposing teams best guard. Unless the shooting really comes around, your offense will be in trouble if he's one of your top 2-3 options. He projects more as an elite role player, which is fine, but I'm not sure that's top 3-4 pick worthy.

The order of the top 5 isn't that much of a big deal.
Most likely they will take one of Bailey, Edgecombe or Tre Johnson. Just get the top 5 out of the way, imo.

[bballsparkin]

I know I probably go against consensus, but I'm not a big VJ fan. I think he will be a solid pro but I don't see the offensive upside with him. He's an older freshman who turns 20 in July. He isn't a good shooter from the field or from 3. He isn't a great finisher around the rim. His handle isn't elite. I sorta see him as an athletic defensive guard who will be able to hit some open catch and shoot 3s, score in transition and defend the opposing teams best guard. Unless the shooting really comes around, your offense will be in trouble if he's one of your top 2-3 options. He projects more as an elite role player, which is fine, but I'm not sure that's top 3-4 pick worthy.

I think those are valid concerns with VJ. Still, he seems like a good fit on Charlotte even if his offence never materializes as one would hope with a top 4 pick. Tre with Ball seems like a bad fit to me. Kon and KM seem too high. Who would you pick?

[OakleyDokely]

I know I probably go against consensus, but I'm not a big VJ fan. I think he will be a solid pro but I don't see the offensive upside with him. He's an older freshman who turns 20 in July. He isn't a good shooter from the field or from 3. He isn't a great finisher around the rim. His handle isn't elite. I sorta see him as an athletic defensive guard who will be able to hit some open catch and shoot 3s, score in transition and defend the opposing teams best guard. Unless the shooting really comes around, your offense will be in trouble if he's one of your top 2-3 options. He projects more as an elite role player, which is fine, but I'm not sure that's top 3-4 pick worthy.

I think those are valid concerns with VJ. Still, he seems like a good fit on Charlotte even if his offence never materializes as one would hope with a top 4 pick. Tre with Ball seems like a bad fit to me. Kon and KM seem too high. Who would you pick?

CHA is in a tricky situation because I don't think this pick changes anything for them. They really need to decide what to do with Ball, can he stay healthy, can he be a building block. And they need to start adding legit, established NBA talent to the roster, otherwise they're going to be in the exact situation next year regardless of who they pick.

Assuming they can't make a trade with the pick, I really like Kon for them. A smart playmaking connector who can shoot the ball, defend and play off their main offensive talent. They already have so many guys who need the ball and if they believe Ball/Miller is the core moving forward, they need to find the right pieces around those guys.

[bballsparkin]

^^For sure, I see Kon as a connector too. Hard to pass on VJ for him though.

[OakleyDokely]

^^For sure, I see Kon as a connector too. Hard to pass on VJ for him though.

I actually like Kon more as a prospect than VJ, but ya, it's hard to go against consensus with high picks.

[tecumseh18]

I guess it will be VJ, but I never really saw the attraction with guys like him (and Castle last year). At least Frears is super young and has real jawdrop upside potential. But I guess a high floor matters, too.

[bballsparkin]

I actually like Kon more as a prospect than VJ, but ya, it's hard to go against consensus with high picks.

I am a Kon fan too. He seems like a safe bet in a possibly crazy draft in my eyes. It would be bold. Maybe they should just take Tre and trade LaMello. Would Ball even have much value at this time?

[Pointgod]

This is the easiest call. VJ Edgecomb. Hell even if Ace dropped to them I still think they pick up VJ

[Psubs]

Everyone has VJ here, but the Hornets aren't afraid to go against consensus. They took Salaun last year at 7. They took Miller at 2 when most had Scoot as the 2nd best prospect. They like high ceiling guys with size, so I think they go with the player they view has the most potential. Wouldn't be shocked if they took Tre or even Maluach.

Tre makes them a deadly 3pt shooting team.

It's possible that VJ is Amen Thompson with an average 3pt shot.

[Morris_Shatford]

Logically it has to be Edgecombe

Which means the Cats will take Queen.

[ontnut]

Edgecombe is possibly my fav player in the draft. I'd consider him at #2 over Harper if I'm perfectly honest. Not gonna die on this hill or bet on it, but I like him a lot.