Charlotte Hornets First-Round Draft Grades: Breaking Down the Picks
How did the Hornets fare in the opening round of the NBA Draft?
The Charlotte Hornets selected Washington center Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 and Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson at No. 18 in the first round of this year’s NBA Draft. Needing a paint presence, playmaking off the bench, and defensive improvement, the Hornets addressed two out of three needs, but were they the best picks available? Below are my grades for Charlotte’s first round selections.
Hannes Steinbach: A-
The Hornets potentially found their long-term starting center in Hannes Steinbach. I have Steinbach ranked as my No. 15 player overall and No. 4 big in this class, so the value is on point for Charlotte. Steinbach was the best fit available for Charlotte, so it’s impossible to be too harsh on the pick. However, the Hornets did pass on the opportunity to trade up for a player like Morez Johnson out of Michigan, who could provide meaningful defensive improvement.
Steinbach was overlooked this season as a freshman at Washington due to the Huskies’ underwhelming season. However, Steinbach built an impressive resume at Washington by leading college basketball with 11.8 rebounds per game and emerging as a skilled offensive big in the paint.
I don’t project Steinbach to be a star for Charlotte, but the Hornets don’t need stars with LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller on the roster. The Hornets instead should be looking for high-level role players, which Steinbach should excel as a high-level rebounder and have enough offensive skill to elevate Charlotte’s offense.
With his combination of large hands, a strong base, and good footwork, Steinbach should be a menace on the glass. While he’s not overly tall at six-foot-ten, he’s got a strong frame that is still growing, giving him the strength needed to win rebounds against NBA centers. He’s also very adept at securing rebounds as well, rather than fumbling around with the ball in the air. From day one, Charlotte has a rebounding machine to help strengthen the front court.
Offensively, Steinbach’s scoring starts at the rim. With his rebounding prowess, he’ll be a threat to finish put-backs as a rookie. Additionally, the Hornets can get creative with Steinbach and Ball. Steinbach is a capable pick-and-roll big that reliably finishes at the rim. Of note, his screens need to improve to fully maximize his fit with Ball. The final piece of his offensive game that intrigues me is his pick-and-pop ability after making 34% of his 3s this season. While it was on low volume, the shot looks repeatable and should translate.
My biggest critique of Steinbach’s game is his rim protection. He’s probably not athletic enough to play the 4, but will also face challenges at the five with his lack of verticality. College players had no hesitation about driving and finishing over him, and the same issue will likely persist in the NBA. Steinbach’s ability to improve his interior defense will be the X factor that determines if this pick is a good selection or a steal.
Christian Anderson: C+
The Hornets needed a backup point guard and found their man in Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson. Ranked as my No. 21 prospect in this class and second-best point guard available, behind Labaron Philon, the value is fine for Charlotte at No. 18.
Anderson is one of the most exciting prospects in this class and will be a sparkplug off the bench. Shooting 41.5% from deep, Anderson is a threat to score at any moment thanks to his robotically efficient pull-up jumper. Comfortable shooting from range, Anderson will almost certainly have a rookie highlight reel that’s one of the best in the league.
Anderson also provides a steady presence as a playmaker. I expect the Hornets to deploy Anderson in pick and roll actions where Anderson forces defenders to either allow him to pull from deep or deliver a pass to a rolling big. Totally 7.4 assists per game, good for fifth in college basketball this season, Anderson can take the keys to the second team offense and keep the car moving forward.
Defensively, I’m very worried about this selection. The good news for Charlotte is that Anderson plays hard on defense to make the most on that end of the court. However, after measuring in at six-foot-one and 180 pounds at the combine, there’s only so much that Anderson can do defensively. With no switchability and limited strength, I expect bigger, experienced NBA guards to take advantage of Anderson’s defense.
One other key concern with Anderson is his turnovers. With 3.3 turnovers per game, Anderson panics at times and finds himself in precarious situations. NBA coaching should help minimize those mistakes, but if Anderson is a high turnover player, I would not be surprised. His ability to minimize turnovers will be crucial for his success as a pro.
Overall: B
This class doesn’t wow me, but it provides meaningful upgrades for the Hornets. Finding quality role players is a hallmark of the best front offices, and Charlotte did exactly that.
I expect Steinbach to be Charlotte’s starting center by the end of his rookie season and could be the long-awaited quality center that the Hornets have lacked for years. Steinbach’s addition to the roster allows Moussa Diabate to move to the bench as an energizing presence off the bench. As a big, physical rebounder, Steinbach can contribute as a rookie as his offensive game evolves. I’ve got concerns about his defense paired with the rest of Charlotte’s starting lineup, but he was the best big for Charlotte if they didn’t want to trade up.
Anderson gives the Hornets a backup point guard who can run the second-team offense effectively. The Texas Tech guard also gives Charlotte some insurance in the event that LaMelo Ball misses time due to injury. With his shooting ability, Anderson’s floor is high enough to project him to be a key role player as a rookie. However, at just six-foot-one, I have major concerns about Anderson’s defense, despite being a high effort defender. Additionally, passing on a wing like Cam Carr, who has defensive upside, is a questionable decision given the Hornets’ defensive struggles last season.
Overall, this looks like a good class with two quality role players. The Hornets likely didn’t select All-Stars, but found pieces that fit the scheme and will be particularly impactful on offense. However, I can’t grade this class higher than a B due to the failure to improve the defense.