The Charlotte Hornets have had 10 first spherical draft alternatives courting again to 2017, and solely 5 nonetheless stay with the squad.
Because the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, it is time to look again on how every of these draft picks did.
It is too early to decide on Salaun, however his output has not been good for the place he was chosen within the draft.
Miller has been a star for the reason that Hornets chosen him. Although he missed the ultimate three montsh of his sophomore season resulting from a wrist harm, Brandon was on tempo to set profession highs almost throughout the board.
Profession Averages: 18.3 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and a pair of.7 assists.
His capacity to attain and defend as a wing is one thing the Hornets have wanted to pair subsequent to LaMelo Ball, and it is secure to say that the Hornets made the proper choice choosing him at quantity two total over now Path Blazers guard Scoot Henderson.
The Hornets chosen Smith Jr through a Denver first that they acquired in a commerce one 12 months earlier. NSJ struggled 12 months one, however a Hornets workforce that was snake-bitten by accidents allowed him to play and develop extra in 12 months two.
Profession Averages: 8.0 factors, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Like Salaun, it is onerous to inform the place Nick’s future lies. The roster has a lot depth at guard, with LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, and KJ Simpson all enjoying the identical place. It is a crucial 12 months three for the previous Razorback, and an ideal season will completely guarantee him a future in Charlotte.
With their first choose within the 2022 Draft, the Hornets chosen Jalen Duren. They traded him virtually instantly, in a 3 workforce deal the place Duren was despatched to Detroit and the Hornets acquired Denver’s 2023 first (Nick Smith Jr.), in addition to 4 second spherical picks.
Profession Averages: 11.5 factors, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Duren has had a powerful begin to his profession, and been an especially impactful piece on either side of the ball for the Detroit Pistons. He was a catalyst within the workforce’s return to the postseason this 12 months, and appears to be an integral a part of their future.
Two picks later, the Hornets chosen their precise heart of the long run: Mark Williams.
Williams has been out and in of the lineup resulting from harm, and has solely performed round 45% of his profession video games throughout his three seasons in Charlotte.
Profession Averages: 12.3 factors, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
When wholesome, Mark has appeared like every thing the Hornets need in a middle. That being mentioned, all of it comes right down to his well being. The workforce virtually traded him on the 2025 NBA to the Los Angeles Lakers, earlier than the deal fell by as a result of Lakers not liking Williams bodily.
If wholesome, Williams is and would be the heart of the long run in Charlotte.
Arguably essentially the most disappointing choose right here, Bouknight solely performed three seasons in Charlotte. The previous UConn star had psychological well being in addition to off-the-court points throughout his time with the Hornets, and by no means noticed a season above six factors per recreation.
Profession Averages: 4.8 factors, 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists
A franchise changer, the Hornets chosen LaMelo Ball throughout the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball got here in and instantly produced, profitable the NBA’s Rookie of the 12 months award.
He crammed the opening of face of the franchise that was left open for just one 12 months after the departure of Kemba Walker, and has continued to carry that to today.
Profession Averages: 21.0 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists
He is handled fixed accidents all through his younger profession, which have prohibited him to be pretty much as good as he could possibly be.
Ball has been an All-Star and appears to get again to that recreation in some unspecified time in the future throughout his profession. Although he has but to make the postseason, he offers Hornets followers hope because the man who will carry the Hornets again to significant video games in April.
The Hornets had been massive followers of Kentucky Wildcats, and Washington was no exception.
He was productive over his 5 seasons with the Hornets, and was persistently wholesome with the squad. His protection and scoring output had been nicely sufficient to be a very good fourth possibility, nevertheless, the Hornets nonetheless wanted extra from him.
Profession Averages: 13.1 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Charlotte dealt him to Dallas on the 2024 NBA commerce deadline for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and draft capital. Washington then made the NBA Finals in his first season with Dallas, defeating the following Hornets’ draftee on the best way.
There isn’t a world the place this won’t be disappointing to take a look at.
The Hornets drafted Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and dealt him to the Los Angeles Clippers on that day for Michigan State ahead Miles Bridges. Bridges has been extraordinarily good for the Hornets, and at this level is the longest tenured participant on the squad.
That being mentioned, it is a dialogue of the Hornets alternatives, and so they chosen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Profession Averages: 24.4 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Shai was dealt to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder one 12 months after he was chosen by the Clippers, and it has been the very best factor in his total profession. He noticed a scoring leap from 10.8 to 19.0 from his first to second 12 months, and in his fourth 12 months in OKC the breakout occurred.
Shai has averaged round 30 factors per recreation for the final three seasons, whereas including round 6 assists. He’s the frontrunner for MVP this season, and has led the Thunder to the highest document in the complete NBA. If the Hornets might undo that deal, they might 10/10 instances.
Malik by no means popped in Charlotte like he has since leaving.
The Hornets took one other Kentucky guard, Malik Monk, with the eleventh choice within the draft. Monk averaged 9.1 factors, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists throughout his 4 seasons with the Hornets, earlier than leaving within the 2021 offseason for the LA Lakers.
Profession Averages: 12.3 factors, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Malik had a breakout 13.8 factors per recreation with the Lakers, after which signed a two-year cope with the Sacramento Kings the next offseason. Monk has since turn into the most effective position participant in basketball since becoming a member of the Kings, averaging a profession excessive 17.2 factors per recreation this season, and signed a 4 12 months, $78 million contract extension with the workforce in July.
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