2021 NBA Draft Thread

[predators]

I'm seeing him mocked all over the place. But my early pick (assuming we don't move up again) is Moses Moody. 7' foot wingspan, shoots 81% from ft, 35% from 3 would bring some much needed size to the 2/3 position.

Center picks are usually projects, so I'm fine with playing that roulette table in the 2nd round.

[Soul Rebel]

Mobley is our best fit, but at 11th I'd probably pick the best guard or SF available. Şengün seems to be the only other notable center in the draft in our range, and he is probably a project.

We can use whoever that is to replace Monk or one of the Martins in the lineup.

See what we have with Vernon and Richards at center.

Agreed. AFter Mobley, the big men available don't move the needle enough for me with VCJ and Richards learning the ropes. I'd prefer we just get Holmes in FA on a 3 yr deal to align with GH's deal expiring, and bring along Carey and Richards as hopeful replacements down the line.

If we can re-sign Graham, add Holmes and draft a SG in the first, I think we are a top-4 (if healthy) team in the East next year. We solve our biggest issue at the 5, don't lose any young guys except Monk and have great depth from 1-5.

[bravor]

Kinda late to wish Mobley now imo. You cannot consider competing because you think you are ready then realize months laters that you are missing key prospects to build on solid foundations.

Too many teams are rebuilding and Hornets are not Cleveland or Minnesota when we talk about top lottery picks (the good thing is that they tend to mess up...)
Otoh, the musical chair could be useful as there are other young prospect who could become available for "cheap" (why not B. Clarke or even Okungwu, at worst guys like Robinson or Carter, Bryant..) if their franchise get young prospect to develop at their position
Stockpiling good picks for 2022/23 should be mandatory. Thats what gets you a good choice between the prospects to develop, the flexibility from their contracts (free agency is fine until you realize good FA are not cheap especially for a small market, except /cough the Hibbert, Hawes type of free agents...), and the necessary cap in 2024/25 to significatly turn this team into a true contende (= cap for Ball extension + free agency).
Unless the only puprose is to win enough games to reach play offs and follow say, the Lillard's Trailblazers scenario. Better learn from other franchise's mistakes and sacrifice short term to perform in the middle/long term.

[spankymoore7]

Kai Jones and Isaiah Jackson are nice center prospects that could be available...I don't think either Carey or Richards will be consistent starters

[Liver_Pooty]

You still go best player available unless it's PG. Team still lacks talent.

[Liver_Pooty]

My pick at 11 is Alperun Sengun. I'm sticking with it

[BlackOutBuzz]

I mentioned this in the game thread, but the Hornets are currently slated to pick either 11th or 12th. Assuming no lottery or trade movement, it'll be the 4th time in 5 years they've picked at either of those spots.

2017: Monk at 11
2018: Bridges at 12 after trading from 11
2019: Washington at 12

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[MPM]

Suppose I'll be moving all my stuff into this thread 'til the fall. Agree with others on Kai Jones - triggers what I've called PTTSD. Tyrus Thomas was a 3 year roller coaster ride. My advice for the FO is to just go out there and win the lottery - go on, Mitch, get it done.

EDIT: Jeesh - old habits die hard - was still thinking fall draft above. July 29th!

[Benjamin Linus]

I'm usually not that crazy about trading down, but with Mitch showing that he can draft, I'm kinda interested to see what he could do if we give him a bunch of picks and let him work his magic

11 to the Knicks for 19, 21, 32

11 to Houston for 22, 24, and one of their future firsts

11 to OKC for 18, 34, 36, and one of their future firsts

That's basically all the trade down candidates. Kinda working off the model of DEN trading the 11th pick a few years ago for 16, 19 and a future 2nd. Houston and OKC have so many future firsts that you could work a variety of deals out those. Keep in mind, we don't have our second round pick this year. Just two really late 2nds (56 and 57)

[wilson115]

Sengun looks impressive, but isn't he 6'9"? Center needs addressing, but so does shot creation, two-way play, and plain old scoring off the bench. (I'm in the camp that loves the Martin twins' hustle and just generally giving a ****, but watching them "create" after the opposing defense inevitably funnels the ball into their hands....) I feel the group that includes Giddey, Wagner, Kispert, and Moody gets a look if we're drafting at 11 thereabouts.

[amcoolio]

I almost always want BPA, but holy hell do we need a center. Pistons reached on Isaiah Stewart last year and he is way better than anything we have. Wouldn't mind reaching for one here. Provided we don't move up.

[wilson115]

Always liked his take on things, but his pick at 11....

Watch on YouTube

[amcoolio]

Maybe if we lose Graham and Monk and sell high on Rozier

[MPM]

Always liked his take on things, but his pick at 11....

Watch on YouTube

Enjoyed this, thx. Agree with amcoolio - bad fit right now, but who knows. Wouldn't be unhappy if we lose some of our backcourt.

[amcoolio]

I think there is a pretty high chance we trade this pick.

[wilson115]

On the other extreme, one of the best center prospects in the draft, but, I don't know, looks more like a 4 to me. Says defensive rebounding is a weakness, which happens to be OUR weakness. Any other bigs worth a reach?

Watch on YouTube

[luciano-davidwesley]

San Antonio lost in the play-in damn. We could still drop to pick 12 assuming we don't move up or down in the lottery.

[JDR720]

I think I like Corey Kispert, he shot 44% from 3pt this season. He should, at the least, be a good 3pt specialist for 15-20 minutes per game. Gets rid of one of the Martin's in the lineup too.

Basically our Doug McDermott or Duncan Robinson. Run him off screens all game. Bring over Arnold too and we now have a very solid 3pt shooting bench group.

Watch on YouTube

[BigSlam]

Stupid Spurs lost.

[Rays Pompadour]

There are no perfect answers in this draft. But what is possible is always exciting. The Hornets still need talent above position, so I figure that's the way they'll go.