NBA Draft 2023: Analyzing top 8 teams for protected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama

4. Charlotte Hornets – 12.5% chance of landing No. 1 pick in NBA Draft

The Hornets are much more talented than its 27-55 record but were mostly without two of its best players this season. LaMelo Ball, who has become a franchise-level point guard, was limited to 36 games due to an injury. And Miles Bridges missed the entire season after an arrest for domestic violence.

With them back, Charlotte, when fully equipped, is a team that can make the playoffs. But then need an upgrade from its current frontcourt situation, which includes PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels, and last year’s 1st-round NBA Draft pick, center Mark Williams. They’ve struggled badly in the past decade to land an ideal big man but that can change if they land Wembanyama.

It’s not all bleak for the Hornets, as Ball doesn’t even turn 22 years old until August. Pairing him with the No. 1 overall pick not only would make both of them better but it would instantly make them a destination landing spot for future free agents. Because right now, they have to overpay to get anyone.

If they do land Wembanyama, Washington likely becomes expendable since he’s the starting four-man. But the Hornets could get some value for him and once some of these bad contracts are off the books, the franchise can get things moving in a positive direction.