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2017 NBA Draft: Live analysis and tracking rumors, picks, trades for the NBA Draft

By Lukas Harkins

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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February 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets

Record in 2016-17: 36-46 (11th in the Eastern Conference)

Draft picks: 11th overall, 40th overall

Jonathan Givony Projections: Donovan Mitchell (#11), Caleb Swanigan (#31)

Lukas Harkins Projections: Lauri Markkanen (#11), Anzejs Pasecniks (#31)

Draft Outlook: Now with Dwight Howard at the center position, the Charlotte Hornets will likely be looking to add shooting through the draft this year. Last year, they found a way to add Marco Belinelli for shooting purposes, but that did not work out as expected. Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum are definitely sound starters in the league, and they could add shooters at either the shooting guard or power forward slot as they could come right in and play significant minutes. As both myself and Mr. Givony project, Lauri Markkanen and Donovan Mitchell would be fun candidates as shooters at those two positions who can do more than just spot-up. Kemba Walker needs help so that the entire league can see how good he is, and hopefully the front office can find that for him with either their lottery pick or the first pick in the second round.

#11 overall: SG Malik Monk, Kentucky

If you told the Hornets at the start of the draft that they would get Malik Monk at #11, they would probably be ecstatic. The team wanted shooting in the draft, and they got one of the best. Monk is an elite athlete who will pair well with Kemba Walker in the backcourt as the Hornets get one of the best shooters in the entire draft. This looks as of right now to be one of the best picks in the draft. Grade: A.

#40 overall: SG Dwayne Bacon, Florida State

An athletic guard who can finish around the rim and score in bunches, this fits the mold of a bench scorer for the Hornets. In order to see a lot of NBA minutes, his three-point shot will need to become much better. On the whole, a solid value pick at #40.

To go back to the draft order/selections, click here.

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