In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats announced a rebrand back to their iconic teal purple, and white. In the decade since, we have seen draft highs, and draft lows (plenty more of the latter). In spirit of the upcoming draft, which may very well shape the Hornets for another decade to come, in this article I will look back on the successes (and shortcomings) of the team we love (or maybe hate to love).*
2013:
Pick 4: Cody Zeller
Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: Considering there were no better options on the board (they would have been crazy to draft Giannis or Rudy Gobert at 4), this was a solid pick. Zeller was a solid player for the Hornets for 8 years between 2013 and 2021, before leaving in free agency for Portland. He averaged 8.4PPG, and 5.9 RPG in his career with the Hornets.
2014:
Pick 9: Noah Vonleh
Draft Grade: F
Analysis: Vonleh never made a start in his one season for the Hornets. He averaged 3.3 PPG and 3.4 RPG. It gets worse. At the end of his rookie season, he was traded to Portland (with fan faveourite Gerald Henderson) in a sign and trade for Nicolas Batum. Yikes.
Pick 24: Shabazz Napier
Draft Grade: D-
Analysis: On draft night, the Hornets traded Napier for pick 26 (P.J. Hairston), 55 (Semaj Christon), and a 2019 2nd Round Pick (Jaylen Nowell).
Pick 45: Dwight Powell
Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: Traded with Brendan Haywood, and cash for Alonzo Gee. Would have been a steal if we kept him, but it just wasn't meant to be.
2015:
Pick 9: Frank Kaminsky
Draft Grade: F
Analysis: Fortunately, Kaminsky played 4 seasons for the Hornets, averaging 10.4PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.7 APG, before leaving for the Suns. Unfortunately, we passed on Devin Booker (the perfect running mate for Kemba), Myles Turner (Carolina native who the Hornets have been trying to get for years, who would have also solved many of the Hornets future problems), and future Hornets Kelly Oubre Jr and Terry Rozier.
Pick 39: Juan Pablo Vaulet
Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Immediately traded to Brooklyn for cash (reportedly $880,00), 2018 2nd Round Pick (Arnoldus Kulboka) and 2019 2nd Round Pick (Talen Horton-Tucker).
2016:
Pick 22: Malachi Richardson
Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Immediately Traded to Kings for Marco Bellini, who played 1 season for the Hornets and averaged 10.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 2.1 APG.
2017:
Pick 11: Malik Monk
Draft Grade: C
Analysis: 10 days after bieng drafted, Monk signed a multi-year extension for the Hornets. He averaged 10.1 PPG, 2.4 APG, and 2.4 RPG in 4 seasons for the Hornets, before an indefinite suspension by the league for a violation of the NBA's anti-drug program. In August 2021 he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Pick 31: Frank Jackson
Draft Grade: D-
Analysis: Traded for $1.8M in cash, and Dwayne Bacon (who averaged 5.7PPG in 3 seasons for the Hornets).
2018:
Pick 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Draft Grade: B+
Analysis: Traded to the Clippers for Miles Bridges, a 2020 2nd Round Pick (became Vernon Carey Jr.) and a 2021 Second Round pick (became Scottie Lewis). Obviously it's devastating to lose All-NBA talent, but it could have been a worse return than Bridges.
Pick 55: Arnoldus Kulboka
Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: Clocked a grand total of 5 minutes in 2 games, without recording a single stat. He was released in 2022.
2019:
Pick 12: P.J. Washington
Draft Grade: B+
Analysis: Soon after the draft, Washington signed a multi-year with the Hornets. He has was a huge piece in the Hornets Play-in pushes in 2021 and 2022, and will likely see the Playoffs soon (hopefully). He has averaged 12.9 PPG, 2.3 APG, 5.5 RPG, a block and a steal per game. Set for a massive payday this coming off-season. The only thing nagging on my mind with this pick is Tyler Herro coming right after him. Sure, maybe the fit wouldn't make sense. But you have to wonder. Right?
Pick 36: Cody Martin
Draft Grade: A-
Analysis: Cody Martin has been a solid piece off the bench for us over the last 4 years, averaging 5.8 PPG, 2.1 APG, and 3.1 RBG, but it's his defensive impact on the perimeter that sets him apart. You might not be able to ask his box score, but a peek into his bank check might do the trick. Sure, he may not have the offensive firepower of his brother, but Cody Martin will have value in this league for years to come.
Pick 52: Jalen McDaniels
Draft Grade: A
Analysis: One of my personal favorite players ever, McDaniels is the prototypical 3-and-D wing every team is looking for, with added bounce included. He averaged 7.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and was consistently a 50-40-90 candidate. He was tremendous value at pick 52, but was eventually dealt to the 76rs for Sviatoslav Mykhaliuik and Pick 34 in this upcoming draft. I have never been more furious as a fan.
2020:
Pick 3: Lamelo Ball
Draft Grade: A+
Analysis: We did it. It took us a while, but we finally found the guy. Ball has averaged 19.4 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 6.4 RPG in 3 seasons with the team so far. Expect more greatness to come from our franchise cornerstone.
Pick 32: Vernon Carey Jr.
Draft Grade: D
Analysis: Averaged 2.2 PPG, and 1.4 RPG for the Hornets in a season and a half before bieng traded to Washington (with Ish Smith) for Montrezl Harrell.
Pick 56: Grant Riller
Draft Grade: D+
Analysis: Averaged 2.6 PPG in 7 games for the Hornets. Signed a two-way deal with the 76rs in 2021.
2021:
Pick 11: James Bouknight
Draft Grade: F
Analysis: Has shown solid flashes, but at this point it's almost time to start screaming bust from the rooftops. has averaged 5.1 PPG in 2 seasons with the Hornets, and has been elite for the Greensboro Swarm, but just seems to struggle with the speed of the big league.
Pick 56: Scottie Lewis
Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Made a free throw in 2 games played. Was not offered a second contract in 2022.
Pick 57: Balsa Kobrivisa
Draft Grade: A-
Analysis: Traded on draft night (with trade exception) to Detroit for Mason Plumlee and J.T. Thor. Great value for the third last pick in the draft, and someone who never stepped foot on an NBA floor.
2022:
Pick 13: Jalen Duren
Draft Grade: D
Analysis: Traded on draft night for pick 27 and 39 in this upcoming draft, as well as Boston's 2024 2nd Round Pick. So far has shown a lot of promise in Detroit.
Pick 15: Mark Williams
Draft Grade: A-
Analysis: We finally got the dominant, low-post, grind-it-out big we have needed for years. Will likely be a great pick and roll partner with Lamelo for years to come.
Pick 45: Josh Minott
Draft Grade: B
Analysis: Traded on draft night (with Knicks 2023 2nd Round Pick) to the Timberwolves for the 40th selection Bryce McGowens. So far McGowens looks to be a solid piece in the Queen City for years to come.
*Only The Players We Actually Drafted (No draft-night trades)
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