NBA Draft 2021: 6 selections from the second round with most potential

No. 37 Charlotte Hornets: JT Thor, Forward, Auburn

Thor had a wide range entering draft night, projected to go anywhere from 20-40. This wasn’t totally a fall, but Thor was No. 22 on my board so I like the value.

I also like the fit here as well. The Hornets clearly wanted to get more athletic this draft to surround Lamelo Ball and they did just that adding James Bouknight, Kai Jones, and then Thor. Thor is a versatile forward. He doesn’t quite have a bankable skill yet, but he can do a lot of things well. He shot 29% from three, but has a good-looking stroke and took them at good volume.

I believe he’ll be a solid catch-and-shoot player in a few years. He had some impressive moments of rim protection with his length and leaping ability. Playing next to Sharife Cooper, he excelled in transition. In

Ball is an even better passer and transition player than Cooper and the Hornets should thrive there. Thor is still young and learning how to impact the game on both ends, so he likely needs G-League time, but the Hornets can afford to give it to him.

If Thor returned to Auburn, he would have been a surefire first-round pick next year, and potentially a lottery pick. So I don’t mind taking him in the second round and using this first season as a developmental one. He won’t impact their success in the near future. But, the Hornets have a good, athletic young core with Ball, Bouknight, Jones, and Thor.