The Charlotte Hornets have officially landed the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft for the fourth time in franchise history, marking their highest selection since acquiring the prized LaMelo Ball in 2020 with the No. 3 pick.
Entering Tuesday night’s draft lottery with the fourth-best odds to win the first overall pick and the right to secure the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, the Hornets will pick ahead of the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and after the San Antonio Spurs, rounding the top five picks in order for the upcoming June draft.
With Wembanyama, the highly-touted, generational talent likely to be selected by the Spurs, BetCarolina.com -the state’s online news source for developing legislation on mobile North Carolina sports betting - examines the available prospects to be selected after the Frenchman and which option will best benefit the Hornets’ future.
Whether it’s Alabama’s Brandon Miller, NBA G-league Ignite’s Scoot Henderson, or one of the Thompson twins, the Hornets can select their next potential superstar and pair him with the team’s household name in Ball.
G-League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson
The favorite to be selected after Wembanyama over at DraftKings Sportsbook, Scoot Henderson (-140) delivers a predicament that the Hornets will need to solve for their long-term future if selected. Henderson is an electrifying prospect who is generated by dynamic athleticism, dominant scoring ability, and exceptional ball-handling skills.
However, Henderson is a scoring point guard who will demand the ball in order to produce efficient offense, just as LaMelo Ball is. Will two natural ball-dominant point guards co-exist in a versatile, fast-paced offense? That is the question that the team’s front office will need to analyze.
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Alabama’s Brandon Miller
Miller’s 6’9” frame combined with his strong shot-making ability, solid ball-handling skills, and defensive versatility will offer a vital two-way production in the backcourt with Ball, effectively impacting both sides of the court. Miller’s tools are better-suited for a shooting guard role, compared to Henderson, and will provide an intriguing partnership in the backcourt. If Miller (+100 at DraftKings) is selected with the second overall pick, he will immediately fill the team’s void at the two, complimenting Ball’s playing style.
MORE: How to Bet on NBA Odds
OTE’s Amen Thompson
Perhaps the most raw talent on this list, Thompson’s professional experience will be a major factor behind the decision process of the Hornets' front office. The 6’7 point guard has impressive playmaking vision along with dynamic scoring ability, allowing him to attack the rim and create spacing on the floor with shot-making capabilities. However, his shooting efficiency in a league of less-experienced “professional” players was of concern, with scouts indicating needed improvement. With a score-first mentality, Thompson (+3000) is capable of playing the shooting guard role.
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The Future of Hornets Basketball
The rebuilding period for the Hornets is approaching an end. With Ball entering his fourth full season and Steve Clifford returning for his second tenure as the head coach, the front office must select a franchise-altering player who will push the Hornets to next year’s playoffs, at least.
In addition, the Hornets will enter the 2023 free agency market with a favorable salary cap. If they manage to land a significant player and draft their best option, expect them to at least make the play-in tournament.
Stay tuned with BetCarolina.com for the road to North Carolina sports betting apps.
