Rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype expect the Hornets to continue exploring the trade market for a player who can help immediately in talks for one of their two first-round picks (13 and 15).
SOURCE: Michael Scotto of HoopsHype
ANALYSIS: The Hornets finished this season 43-39, which was the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference. They had the NBA's sixth-best offense (scoring 111.7 points per 100 possessions) and 22nd-ranked defense (allowing 111.0 points per 100 possessions).
Charlotte wants to take a step forward and they have quite a few young players, so it makes sense that they're searching to move one of their first-round picks for a win-now piece. It remains to be seen what kind of player they can acquire for the No. 13 pick or No. 15 pick.
Currently, in BasketballNews.com's latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft, our senior NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock has the Hornets projected to take Jalen Duren at No. 13 and Malaki Branham at No. 15.