Charlotte Hornets: 2026 NBA Draft Roundtable
Here is the SportCLT staff's thoughts on the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft is upon us.
I polled the SportCLT staff with a variety of questions (some relating to the Hornets, some not) to get thoughts on the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
Who's the best player in the draft, in your eyes?
Dylan Jackson (DJ): Cam Boozer. It's rare that you see a player of Boozer's size as good at shooting and playmaking as he is. There's a rare intersection of efficiency and feel that I don't think I've ever seen in a prospect. I think you could rationalize three different players for this question, but Boozer would be my guy if I had the first overall pick.
Jacob Lequire (JL): AJ Dybantsa. The key building block for teams in today's NBA are wings that can do it all. Dybantsa is already a top-end scorer, has an NBA frame and defense that should be able to translate, and should be able to be an effective triple threat player at some point early in his career. It's hard to see a path where Dybantsa isn't an effective NBA starter - I can't say that about everyone else in the class.
Steve Sears (SS): Cam Boozer. I think his combination of size and skill is something that no one else in this class can bring to the table. He can truly do it all on the offensive end and that rare blend is something that teams crave in today's NBA.
Jack Hooper (JH): Cam Boozer. After deliberating since the end of the NCAA season, the idea of passing up on all-time efficient 3-level scoring, elite rebounding, and high-level playmaking paired with a 6-foot-9 broad-shouldered 7-foot-1 wingspan frame, is just ridiculous. I can almost not conceive a world where Cam Boozer does not become a top-tier contributor to some team in the league. Dybantsa is very close, given the athleticism, defensive playmaking upside, and shot creation, but I think I value the security of what Boozer is when he's not scoring.
Noah Teague (NT): Darryn Peterson. Peterson stands out as the best prospect in this class. While AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer have strong arguments, Peterson's ability as the best scorer in the class sets him apart. Every team needs a player that can score on anyone at any time and Peterson is exactly that. The shot looks clean, he works well in the half court, and has enough athleticism to be an All-NBA player.
Mali Payne (MP): Cam Boozer. I think Boozer is, and will continue to be, a really special offensive weapon and engine. He can score at all three levels but is most efficient and effective scoring inside. He is a matchup nightmare - whoever is guarding him needs to be as quick as they are big to keep up with Boozer's own physicality and foot-speed. Also he has an extremely high basketball IQ and makes intelligent plays/reads - this makes him a fantastic passer which should smoothly translate to the NBA. Out of all the consensus top guys, he is the youngest (he will be 18 on draft day), but because of how polished his game is people seem to discredit his ceiling. I see no reason as to why he can't grow much more upon being exposed to the NBA game with NBA teammates - iron sharpens iron.
Final count: Cam Boozer 4, AJ Dybantsa 1, Darryn Peterson 1
What position do you think is most likely for the Hornets to address on draft night?
DJ: I would say forward. I think the Hornets know they need to upgrade the front court, and they have a unique opportunity with the number of forwards projected to be available with their pick(s).
JL: Front Court/PF. Charlotte is set, at least for this season, with the backcourt trio of LaMelo-Brandon-Kon. The issue that reared its head in the play-in tournament games was physicality, particularly from the 4 and 5 spots. If Charlotte wants to be a serious ball club, they need to add real physical players in the front court.
SS: Forward. I think it's no secret that after this past season that the position in the starting lineup that needs to biggest tune up is at the forward spot. Charlotte needs to add physicality to the front court if they are to keep building around LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller and this class has a handful of players at this spot that make a ton of sense.
JH: Power Forward. Not only are there an abundance of guys in this spot in our projected range (Yax, Morez, Graves, Steinbach, Peat, etc.), it's also one of two spots we don't have a cost controlled player on a rookie deal, unless you count Tidjane Salaün. Hence why my second most likely position, is PG.
NT: Power forward. I'd be shocked if Charlotte doesn't look to add a power forward. Both Miles Bridges and Grant Williams are set to hit free agency next summer and Tidjane Salaun still needs to develop to become a quality rotation player. Even if the Hornets resign Bridges, they'll need depth behind him and this draft has multiple options in the middle of the first round.
MP: Big. In this class there are several guys in the Hornets range that I project could feature as either a 4 or a 5 in the NBA. And it just so happens that this is an area in which the Hornets could use some additional depth. To highlight the center room for example, it is only really Moose and Kalkbrenner (and PJ Hall if counting him). Those guys are fantastic but there are gaps in their games which can be plugged by just one additional big - real physicality and scoring stand out as the main two. In this class you notably have Morez Johnson Jr. and Hannes Steinbach who can cover either of these gaps whilst still providing skills consistent with what the Hornets like (rebounding, hustle, defence).
Final count: Forward 5, Big 1
Do you see any pre-draft trades happening for the Hornets this week? If so, who do you think it would be for?
DJ: Yes. I think they'll make at least one move. We've already seen Miles Bridges' name floated on the market (as well as a rumor of interest in Sabonis). Peterson is always opportunistic when it comes to the trade market, so I think we'll get at least one move prior to the draft, even if it is a minor one.
JL: No, I think Jeff Peterson is more of a "wait and see" type of person as it pertains to trades. I believe the Hornets will use both of their draft selections, and I don't foresee any trade the Hornets would be involved in without including either Picks 14 and/or 18.
SS: No. If there is anything I think it would be us being a third team to help get a trade over the finish line. I think Charlotte holds tight until the draft, makes their pick and then maybe we see something ahead of free agency.
JH: If so, I think there may be some type of deal to alleviate cap for a team, but I don't see the Hornets entering the draft with any other / more picks for this years cycle. I think a team like Denver may find use in some of our exceptions to alleviate some of their cap pressure (Nnaji, Strawther come to mind.)
NT: I think it's unlikely for Charlotte to make a pre-draft trade. However, if they do make one then I could envision the long awaited Myles Turner trade. With three years on his deal and a down season with the Bucks, Turner's value is as low as its been in years. This could be a buy low opportunity for Charlotte if the Hornets believe Turner's struggles came from playing on a dysfunctional Bucks team. Add in that Milwaukee appears to finally be hitting the reset button, a Turner trade makes some sense for both sides.
MP: No. But a move which consolidates the picks or pushes back a pick to another year wouldn't surprise me.
Final count: No 5, Yes 1.
Most likely player to be traded FROM the Hornets this week?
DJ: Miles Bridges. I think the answer is clearly Miles Bridges. He has the most value of any Hornets player projected to be on the market and we've reached a point where we clearly know he's not a great fit in Charles Lee's scheme.
JL: Miles Bridges. Bridges carries the largest expiring salary on the Hornets roster, is probably the best player that Charlotte has on the trade block, and frankly just doesn't fit what this team needs.
SS: Josh Green. We saw Green get phased out of the rotation towards the end of the season. Now he's on an expiring contract that could be useful to move for another player who could be in the rotation or just to clear up space.
JH: Josh Green. I think if a team had to take on $14 million in an expiring, they'd choose JG over Grant just given his archetype being a little more fluid across rosters, and his high 3-point percentage last season.
NT: Josh Green, If Charlotte makes a trade, I expect Josh Green to be included as salary filler. His role is shrinking in Charlotte and his expiring contract is prime option to be make money match in any deal.
MP: Tre Mann. Coming off his back injury Tre Mann has been unable to consistently deliver enough to be trusted with more minutes. Because of this I see him as the least valuable guy to Charles Lee and the Hornets future as a whole - so he will likely be traded. It's a shame, because I really enjoyed what he gave us before the injury.
Final count: Josh Green 3, Miles Bridges 2, Tre Mann 1.
Should the Hornets use both of their draft picks (at 14 and 18)?
DJ: Yes. This is a stacked draft class and you might be able to get two players that normally are considered lottery talents. Most contending teams are stacking young, cost controlled talent as a way to fill out a playoff rotation, and I think the Hornets are in a position to add two players that can make an impact.
JL: No, I believe at least one of the picks should be allocated in a trade for a veteran upgrade. I know that you need cost controlled talent in today's NBA, but the Hornets fan in me is saying it's playoffs - not play-in - or bust this season. On a team that already fielded three rookies last season, with Liam McNeeley and Tidjane Salaun also needing minutes, I would find it difficult for two rookies to carve out significant roles, which is what you would want from two Top-20 selections in what many are calling the best draft pool since 2003.
SS: Yes. Hitting on these picks could give us 2 quality rotation players on rookie contracts. Extremely valuable.
JH: Yes. Cost controlled assets when you're about to extend one of your best players (Miller) to a long term extension is incredibly important. I also think there are enough players who could fit needs we have (defensive playmaking, rim pressure, secondary playmaking) in this class to warrant spending both picks.
NT: Yes. The only thing better than one cheap contract is two cheap contracts. Making both selections makes sense for Charlotte financially as the roster grows more expensive.
MP: Yes. I was initially in the boat for only drafting one guy out of this class due to the roster size constraints. But after I took my love-for-Pat-Connaughton glasses off I saw it made more sense to use both picks. There is such a variety of talent in this class in positions which Charlotte should look to fill (notably guards/bigs), and combine that with the two nice 4-year rookie deals the players will have it makes for an easy decision. So whilst maybe its not Pat who's let go, the bottom line remains and the is that Charlotte should take two rookies in this class, and a player(s) will need to make way for that to happen - and I'm okay with that.
Final Count: Yes 5, No 1.
Who is your absolute favorite draft target at either 14 or 18? Be realistic here.
DJ: Jayden Quaintance. I'm not privy to medical information, and I love the talent that Quaintance brings. I think there is an argument that he'd be the favorite to go fifth overall if he didn't have any red flags, and that's the type of talent I'm more than okay betting on in the late lottery. Players like Quaintance do not come around often, in my opinion.
JL: Yaxel Lendeborg. I get that he's old. However, like I mentioned above with Dybantsa, Lendeborg already possesses an NBA frame (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) and can operate as a triple threat forward from day one. He may not have the highest ceiling of some of the players in this range, but for a team that needs to kick it into a higher gear THIS SEASON, Lendeborg should be able to provide stable and immediate returns.
SS: Morez Johnson. I have to stick with my board here. I think Johnson is exactly what the Hornets need in the frontcourt in terms of having a guy who can quarterback the defense and add that much needed physicality to the starting unit. He's not perfect, but no prospect is. At 14, and 18 especially, I think Charlotte can't pass on him.
JH: Morez Johnson. I think he's the most switchable defensive playmaker in the class, while pairing that with freak athleticism for his size and really good efficiency at Michigan. Some of his chances won't come as easy in the league, but his skillset with a fairly interesting stretch ability (75+% free throws) make him a no brainer for me.
NT: Morez Johnson. My best case scenario for Charlotte ends with the Hornets landing Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr at pick 14. I have him ranked as a top ten player in this class and the best of the Michigan frontcourt trio. His motor, strength, and defensive versatility are all things the Hornets could use as they look to make the playoffs.
MP: Morez Johnson. He is just such a seamless fit in Charlotte. Rebounding, physicality, defensive versatility, motor - he does it all. And you're not just checking these boxes for him half-heartedly, he's legit. All of these skills will transfer to the NBA where he will consequently offer immediate impact wherever he goes, either playing as a 4 or a 5. A common NBA comp for Morez is Isaiah Stewart, and it's hard to disagree with that at least from a defensive impact standpoint. We may not like Beef Stew in Charlotte, but I love his game, and finding something similar in Morez Johnson Jr. would be a home run for this team.
Final Count: Morez Johnson 4, Yaxel Lendeborg 1, Jayden Quaintance 1.
Who is your least favorite draft target at either 14 or 18?
DJ: I'm much more hesitant on Yaxel Lendeborg than most. The track record on historical age outliers isn't great, even if Lendeborg looks to be a pro-ready prospect. I could get behind him with the 18th pick, but I have a variety of players I'd prefer at 14.
JL: Koa Peat. I like the idea of what Peat can be as a roaming defender, especially as someone you send to hunt small guards. What I don't like is the jumper and his decision to stay in the NBA draft despite that glaring issue. Any non-center for me has to be able to pop out to the 3 point line and at least pretend to be a threat.
SS: Labaron Philon Jr.: I don't even dislike him all that much but it's like a Malik Monk & James Bouknight jump scare sort of thing. I don't know, maybe thirds time the charm?
JH: Koa Peat - I think for the run and gun style the Hornets play, Peat really isn't all that bad of a fit. However, I don't really want to add a negative floor spacer to a front court of Bridges, Diabate, and Kalkbrenner. I like Peat - not for us.
NT: Karim Lopez. I'd be disappointed if Charlotte selected Karim Lopez at either 14 or 18. There's certainly a high ceiling with Lopez, but there's a lot of work to get there. The jump shot is inconsistent and the defensive instincts aren't there yet. For a team looking to make a playoff push, I'd pass on a long term project prospect.
MP: Nate Ament. Sure we know the talent is there from high school, and I appreciate his ability to handle the ball for his size, but he is not what this Hornets team needs from this class. My biggest concern is that I just don't think he is ready for the league yet. The Hornets need to draft players in the coming years that they hope can have immediate impacts, and I just don't see Ament providing that.
Final Count: Koa Peat 2, Yaxel Lendeborg 1, Labaron Philon 1, Karim Lopez 1, Nate Ament 1.
Rank your top-5 Hornets draft targets.
DJ: (In order) Jayden Quaintance, Nate Ament, Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson, Cam Carr. Lots of front court players on my list, but I can also be convinced if one of the guards (Flemings, Burries, Brown, Wagler) miraculously falls on draft night. I'm a good bit lower on Mara and Lendeborg than most, and I'm much more likely to take players that feel "rare" than safe.
JL: (In order) Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara, Hannes Steinbach, Dailyn Swain. The Michigan trio are pretty self-explanatory, I just want improvement in the frontcourt and all three of Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara can provide that. Hannes Steinbach is interesting to me, I don't know whether he'd be a 4 or 5 in the NBA, but he's an elite rebounder with room to expand as a shooter. I have Swain last because the Hornets still lack a point of attack defender, and Swain can become that. I have him ahead of Peat because the shot is workable, and at the very least Swain should be a strong cutter and rim-pressure player.
SS: (In order) Morez Johnson, Hannes Steinbach, Jayden Quaintance, Aday Mara, Cam Carr. Johnson was already explained above. Perfectly fits a big position of need. Steinbach, I think is a really talented big man that would fit really nicely with this team on the offensive side of the ball. Quaintance and Mara, similar reasons as Steinbach but for the defensive end. Cam Carr, you could always use fresh legs on the wing, and he does things I think the Hornets would like.
JH: (In order) Morez Johnson, Hannes Steinbach, Cam Carr, One of the Guards, Allen Graves. Steinbach best rebounder in the nation, combined with underrated athleticism, good hands, and highly effective rim touch. Comfortable ball-handler, could fit well with our high-usage of DHOs (but somebody teach him how to set a screen please). Not sure if there's a better fit among the wings in this class than Cameron Carr for the Hornets. Impressive 3-point repertoire as a movement, catch, and creative shooter. 68 rim FG%, 2.2 stocks, 7-foot-1 wingspan, and managed to have a 57.6 EFG% despite Baylor's key initiator Rob Wright III leaving prior to the season. If one of my top-3 aren't available at 18, I would love to get a guard to play behind LaMelo and White to learn and be a cheap option for the depth chart. Maybe I’m a little high on Graves, but given Charlotte's high 3-point volume and lack of true positional size at the power forward spot, Graves feels like a good fit. The playmaking and rim touch are intriguing, and he showed some defensive playmaking talents at Santa Clara.
NT: (In order) Morez Johnson, Jayden Quaintance, Dailyn Swain, Labaron Philon, Hannes Steinbach. Both Johnson and Quaintance address Charlotte's defensive struggles, but Quaintance's injury issues are a real concern for me. Swain is one of my favorite prospects to watch thanks to his driving ability, which the Hornets could really use. I'm concerned about Philon's size at the NBA level, but as a backup point guard he would be an exciting pickup. Finally, if everyone else is gone then Steinbach makes sense as a rebounding machine.
MP: (In order) Morez Johnson, Hannes Steinbach, Allen Graves, Jayden Quaintance, Bennett Stirtz. If Morez is off the board, Hannes makes for a great alternative at 14. He is the best scoring big in the class who also happens to be the biggest volume rebounder - sounds perfect for the Hornets. Allen Graves fits right into what the Hornets appreciate in a player and for that he is my preferred choice as a physical forward that could potentially usurp Miles Bridges' position. Quaintance: A freakish athlete on both ends of the court who can be a legit all-defensive guy in the NBA. Stirtz: Out of the guards I see falling to us (Chris Anderson Jr., Ebuka Okorie and himself), he is my preferred pick.
Final count (1st = 5 points, 2nd = 4 points, 3rd = 3 points, 4th = 2 points, 5th = 1 point): Morez Johnson 26, Hannes Steinbach 18, Jayden Quaintance 14, Cam Carr 5, Allen Graves 5, Yaxel Lendeborg 5, Aday Mara 5, Nate Ament 4, Dailyn Swain 4, Bennett Stirtz 3, Labaron Philon 2.
Is there a player you think would be worth trading up for?
DJ: Unless the Hornets are going to move into the top-4 for Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson (it's not happening), I haven't seen a trade I'd consider "worth it." Lot's of people have pointed out the Mavericks as a potential target (perhaps 14 + 18 or 18 + the Mavs' 2027 pick gets it done), but I think the caliber of player you'd get at No. 9 is very similar to No. 14.
JL: Caleb Wilson, I'd give up almost anything outside of LaMelo. If this draft class is as good as evaluators say it is, then you probably shouldn't trade up for anyone outside of the Big 4 (Dybantsa, Wilson, Peterson, Boozer). Wilson is likely the guy going 4th, so it wouldn't cost as much as a trade into the Top-3 picks would. As for the fit on the Hornets, I think Wilson can be either a jumbo wing in the NBA or a tenacious forward. Continuing to develop his shot is key, but the explosive athleticism and defense we saw from Wilson when healthy is rare. He's probably my favorite player in this class, and it doesn't hurt that he went to the right school in North Carolina.
SS: No. This is obviously a really talented draft, but I don't think the difference between 14 & 18 and say the 10th pick is large enough for me to want to lose any capital. I think you can get just as good a player where we currently sit. Just not worth it to me. Now if we're talking the 4th pick for Caleb Wilson... maybe I need to change my answer.
JH: No. I'm pretty low on Mara for us I think, and don't see a world where a Yaxel team trades out of just taking him.
NT: Yes. I would absolutely trade up for Morez Johnson. While he may be available at pick 14, trading up to pick 11 seems reasonable to me. I'd move pick 14 and the Miami Heat's 2027 first round pick, lottery protected, for pick 11 and pick 54. While it may be a slight overpay, the Hornets have a surplus of 2027 picks, which doesn't project to be a particularly strong class.
MP: No.
Final Count: Don’t really know how to give a clean answer on this one. One person says yes for Morez Johnson. Pretty much everyone else says no with a few noting that changes if Caleb Wilson is available.
Give me your best case scenario for the 14th and 18th picks.
DJ: Morez Johnson and Jayden Quaintance. I want to be a bit realistic here, so I'll say my dream pairing is Morez Johnson and Jayden Quaintance - I'd love to double down on physical front court players that improve the physicality and interior defense of this Hornets team. I think Jeff Peterson will do his best to re-imagine Charlotte's front court, and a draft haul of these two would be an excellent starting point, in my opinion.
JL: Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson/Aday Mara. I'm a big continuity guy - the Michigan teammates proved they could work together at the highest level of college basketball, so I'd expect that chemistry to carry into the NBA. Ultimately, all of these players can give something to the frontcourt that the Hornets desperately need. Lendeborg can be a tertiary playmaker and plus defender at the 4, Johnson can be a good point of a attack defender and strong interior scorer if necessary, and Mara is a rare mover for being 7-foot-3 and close to 250 pounds. Hitting on two of the three Michigan players would allow the Hornets to focus on using their resources to add veteran talent and the guard and wing spots, which still need improvement if this team is going to make a playoff push.
SS: Morez Johnson and Hannes Steinbach. I think with these 2 players you're bringing in defense with one guy and offense with the other and hoping that one of them can figure out the other side and claim that starting spot in the front court. Maybe it's bit of an overlap positionally, but I think we're really thin in this spot and adding 2 guys there, who really could even play alongside each other down the line, in a perfect world isn't a bad way to go about it.
JH: Morez Johnson and Hannes Steinbach. Front court overhaul. Feels a lot better trading away Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaün when you add 2 new long term pieces who do things you want to be good at (LEE-BOUNDING), and they both could potentially see the court together if either / both of them put that 3-point shot together in a meaningful way.
NT: Morez Johnson and Dailyn Swain. Best case scenario the Hornets select Morez Johnson at 14 and Dailyn Swain at 18. Johnson's defense speaks for itself and slotting him at power forward gives Charlotte toughness and physicality needed at that spot. Swain gives Charlotte a true slashing wing off the bench, which the Hornets lacked this year. His defensive consistency needs to improve, but the tools are there. Additionally, he'll need to improve the jumper, but being surrounded by the Hornets' shooters is the optimal landing spot for him to grow early. While I love Jayden Quaintance's game and have him ranked higher than Swain, if he drops to 18 then that indicates to me the medicals are too risky, hence why I'd target Swain.
MP: Morez Johnson and Hannes Steinbach. Maybe it's a stretch to have Hannes fall to 18, but it's not unlikely and it has been mocked before. But with these two being my top two guys for the Hornets I'd be crazy if I said I wouldn't take them both. I totally get how drafting two bigs may seem odd but I just love the versatility of what them two plus Diabate and Kalkbrenner gives us. It covers anything we could need out of a center for any situation all while taking up very minimal cap-space going forward. Plus you could even run some interesting double big lineups alongside LaMelo, Kon, and Miller thanks to Morez and Hannes abilities to play the 4.
Final Count: Morez Johnson 4.5, Hannes Steinbach 3, Jayden Quaintance 1, Yaxel Lendeborg 1, Dailyn Swain 1, Aday Mara 0.5