Grading the Charlotte Hornets 2023 Draft Class
The Charlotte Hornets entered the 2023 NBA Draft with five picks and came out of it with four, thanks to a small trade up in the second round to select big man James Nnaji.
How did the Hornets do in the draft? Here's what some of our analysts think:
James Plowright: C+
I love the Miller pick at No. 2, despite him being narrowly behind Scoot in my rankings. I maintain that his game film popped more to me. In fact, I wrote in my scouting notes in March that Miller was “one of the most enjoyable prospects I’ve ever scouted.”
The below average grade is largely due to what Charlotte did later in the draft. Smith Jr. and Nnaji were both 5-10 spots lower on my draft board with prospects like Rupert, Walsh and Miller all higher on my board. Bailey was fair value where he was and gives Charlotte a good table setter in Greensboro which is important to help develop other young players. While the grade is lower than I’d like to give, I acknowledge Charlotte’s strategy of drafting young, high upside guys could pay off in the long run, but expect some misses along the way.
Desmond Johnson: B+
Now that I'm a few days removed from the draft I can look at the haul and see what this draft truly was about. An eye towards the future and loading up the Swarm roster with the hopes one or two 2nd rounders pan out over time. I've talked myself out of the D- grade I gave to the Miller pick. I have to admit a backcourt with 2 6'9" guys is very intriguing. In fact I can't think of another one that's existed...will Ball and Miller be the first? Nick Smith Jr. was a top-ten draft prospect in preseason rankings so there could be some potential there. Nnaji is a project they thought high enough of to trade up. I trust Kupchak and his track record of finding gems late in the draft. Now let's let the young guns play.
Nicholas Mullick: C
I'm kind of 50/50 on this draft. There is a part of me that likes the choices made, but there is another part that is not a fan. The 2nd pick should have been Scoot. As I've said before, in the NBA Draft you take the best talent over biggest need.
Miller has talent and if he develops well he should make an impact, but Scoot was hands down the more talented prospect, in my opinion. I don't hate the Nick Smith Jr. pick too much considering the value. James Nnaji has potential, but I don't believe they needed to trade up to get him which is why I had a lower grade on him.
For my immediate draft grade, I have to go with a C. I debated C- but I can't ignore the potential here.
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