In a new Mock Draft posted today on ESPN+ Givony/Woo have the Hornets selecting Matas Buzelis at #4
1. Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher
2. Pistons: Alex Sarr
3. Spurs: Rob Dillingham
4. Hornets: Matas Buzelis
5. Blazers: Cody Williams
6. Raptors: Nicola Topic
7. Grizzlies: JaKobe Walter
8. Rockets: Tidjane Salaun
9. Thunder: Kyle Filipowski
10. Hawks: Ron Holland
Givony says "Buzelis is peaking at the right time"
After missing the first three months of the G League season with ankle injuries, Buzelis was slow out of the gates but has been playing his best basketball of late. He's shooting 39% from 3 over his past 10 games, has transformed himself from being a poor defender to being extremely impactful on and off the ball, and is soaking up increased usage successfully with ball-dominant Ron Holland now sidelined for the season with a thumb injury.
Buzelis was on a major platform this past weekend at the Rising Stars game, where he was able to match up with Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren, Charlotte's Brandon Miller and many other of the NBA's most talented young players. He showed his passing creativity, shot-making prowess, defensive playmaking instincts and all-around aggressiveness attacking opponents consistently -- even hitting a game-winning turnaround jumper to advance to the championship game.
Being able to showcase his tremendous size, improving frame and intriguing versatility on both ends of the floor was a major opportunity for Buzelis, something that will likely stick with the many NBA executives in attendance ahead of the pre-draft process.
Having weighed 185 pounds exactly a year ago, Buzelis is now at 205, which has unlocked some added explosiveness and an ability to initiate and play through contact more effectively on both ends of the floor. Buzelis is always looming as a weakside rim-protector and is doing a much better job of getting in a low stance, turning his hips and sliding his feet on the perimeter, staying down on fakes and showing impressive instincts staying attached to opponents.
His shot-creation prowess is something teams want to see him continue to make strides with, as he's been somewhat of a mixed bag operating out of pick-and-roll and in isolation, not always able to beat defenders cleanly off the bounce and finish what he creates, due to his lack of strength. Buzelis' jumper has been streaky -- he's 22-for-84 from 3 in 26 games -- but has been on an upward trajectory, showing clean mechanics, a high release and confidence with his shot-making prowess, something teams will be studying closely in the pre-draft process.
Buzelis was the original No. 1 prospect in our very first mock draft released one year ago, and he's putting himself back in that conversation with the way he's playing of late. He's got several more weeks to continue building momentum before his season comes to a close. He should continue to benefit from being a top offensive option for Ignite with Holland out. -- Jonathan Givony
