The Charlotte Hornets have the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the big night only six days away, we are getting a better idea of who the new Hornets front office is targeting in the first round. The latest reporting suggests that not only do they have their eyes set on a specific prospect but they are also willing to trade up to make sure they get him.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Charlotte Hornets are among teams that are trying to trade with the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 overall pick. They are reportedly competing with the Grizzlies for this deal.
“Three teams, according to team and league sources that have been most vocal: Charlotte, Memphis and Portland. The Grizzlies and Hornets, in particular, have been rather aggressive in their hopes of acquiring the No. 3 pick, sources said.”
– Kelly Iko, The Athletic
The Hornets are likely targeting Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard with that selection and are worried that the San Antonio Spurs would draft him at No. 4. The Spurs are desperately in need of a guard and more shooting and Sheppard checks both those boxes.
Being aggressive to ensure you land your preferred prospect is a good strategy as long as the price is reasonable. The Hornets shouldn’t be giving up valuable future draft capital to move up three slots in the draft. They are in the early stages of a rebuild and as good as Sheppard or whoever they may be targeting is, giving up anything more than a protected future first-round pick would be too much.
At the same time, it makes sense that Charlotte is targeting Sheppard. The combo guard has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He can shoot, score from mid-range, and run pick-and-roll while being able to defend at a reasonable level. Combine that with his surprising athleticism, and you have a well-rounded guard.
How much of a risk the new ownership and front office will be willing to take in the draft remains to be seen but it will shed light on how aggressive the Hornets will be in the new era.
