The Charlotte Hornets won as many games in January and February of this season (19) as they did all of last season. Overall, the Hornets increased their win total by 25 games from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026.
The Hornets showed significant improvement this season but fell short of the playoffs after losing to the Orlando Magic in their second NBA Play-In Tournament game. However, they did secure a dramatic win over the Heat in the first game of the Play-In.
With a young core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel, the Hornets aim to rise from the basement of the Eastern Conference. The only trade concern for the team is Miles Bridges, the longest-tenured player and fourth-leading scorer. His departure could affect draft priorities.
The Hornets are focused on adding frontcourt depth alongside Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate, as well as finding a backup point guard for LaMelo Ball. The scouting department and the front office of the Hornets will have some hard decisions to make in this talent-rich draft class. However, if recent history has shown fans anything, it’s that Hornets GM Jeff Peterson knows what he’s doing.
Hornets Draft Picks:
- Round 1 — No. 14
- Round 1 — No. 18
Hornets Draft Needs:
Unlike the past few drafts, the Hornets will not necessarily be looking for a prospect that can be a day-one starter. Instead, the Hornets should look to target another big man for the rotation. They also need a guard to provide depth for the sometimes-injury-prone LaMelo Ball.
The center position is the position that the Hornets will likely address first. Both Diabate and Kalkbrenner are excellent paint protectors and shot blockers. Still, neither one of them possesses the smooth scoring touch or outside shooting abilities that an ideal modern-day NBA center has.
At point guard , the Hornets have an All-Star player in LaMelo Ball, but other than him, they are quite thin when it comes to true point guards. Coby White, if re-signed, certainly helps to shore up the depth at the position. However, drafting another point guard can’t hurt the Hornets. This is especially true if LaMelo goes down with an injury.
Hornets Draft Targets:
Aday Mara – C – Michigan
Fresh off a national championship, Michigan center Aday Mara could be the exact player that the Hornets are looking for. Standing at 7-foot-3 and weighing in at 260 pounds, he is a physical specimen that barely has to jump to dunk the ball. Mara, the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2026, is an elite rim protector who averaged 2.6 blocks per game this season.
Mara’s offensive game centers around the rim, where he has honed his footwork and finishing abilities. An exceptional lob catcher and finisher for his size, Mara could provide a unique option for the Hornets’ guards on the pick-and-roll. This is especially true with LaMelo Ball’s ability to pick out his centers from anywhere.
Outside shooting and free-throw percentage are Mara’s biggest offensive weaknesses. These are areas Hornets’ staff would work on with him, but Mara may not be taking NBA three-pointers for some time. However, Mara still brings size and offensive poise around the rim that the Hornets don’t quite have at the moment. He certainly could be an intriguing fit.
Hannes Steinbach – PF/C – Washington
If the Hornets are looking for an offense-minded stretch big, then Hannes Steinbach is their man. The freshman from Wurzburg, Germany, was the highlight of a mediocre Washington Huskies team. He scored 18.5 points per game and recorded an incredible 20 double-doubles on the season.
Steinabach is a versatile scorer with a strong physical presence in the paint and the ability to shoot from long range. Despite being undersized for a center, he led the NCAA in rebounding with an average of 11.8 per game. Of these, 4.2 were offensive rebounds. He also thrives in transition play and is often the first man down the floor.
Steinbach may not be the passer or defender Mara is, but he brings an offensive dynamic neither Mara nor the Hornets’ current centers possess. This unique quality could make him an appealing option for head coach Charles Lee to develop.
Christian Anderson – PG – Texas Tech
If the Hornets draft a center with the 14th pick, they will likely focus on selecting a backup for LaMelo Ball with the 18th pick. Christian Anderson is an excellent fit for this role. He averages 18.5 points per game and ranked fifth in the nation with 7.6 assists per game. His ability to be both a willing passer and a scoring threat could make him the ideal backup for LaMelo.
Anderson is an excellent shooter with a 41.5% shooting percentage and an impressive 89% free-throw rate, suggesting he can translate his skills to the NBA. However, at 6-foot-2, he may struggle to defend larger guards, a concern for the Hornets’ front office with other solid point guard options available. Despite this, he remains a sensible choice.
Leave a comment