A Bugs’ Life: NBA draft lottery woes yet again for Hornets

FILE PHOTO

Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee represented the team at the NBA draft lottery, where they finished with the fourth pick despite having the best odds of finishing with the top choice along with Utah and Washington.

The Hornets missed out on the No. 1 NBA draft pick — AGAIN.

This feeling is not new in Charlotte, but one that is still just as disappointing every year for the fans and media alike that cover the team. The Hornets had a 14% chance to secure the top pick along with Utah and Washington, and somehow Charlotte was the only one of them to even pick in the top four.

The Dallas Mavericks, who had just a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, secured the rights to the presumptive top pick, Cooper Flagg. Despite more lottery disappointment, Hornets coach Charles Lee was positive.

“I see a very deep draft class,” Lee said, “so, I am excited that we were able to stay in that top four. As things got kind of tense there, you are wondering how things are going to fall out. But, again, it’s a deep draft and I think our front office has identified a lot of people in this draft class that fit that Hornets’ DNA, and I look forward to continuing to build sustainable success with this new piece that we will get.”

Hornets’ Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson said now that the lottery results cleared some things up.

“Now that we know we are picking fourth, it will help clear up some things in terms of just conversations with other teams,” Peterson said, “and just to continue the process as we’re here with the draft prospects at the combine. So, we are definitely excited.”

I hear you coach Lee and VP Peterson, but there has to be a feeling of getting slighted, right?

While the Mavericks had never won the lottery and with just a 1.8% chance of winning made them the fourth-lowest team to win in terms of percentage. It leaves Charlotte, Utah and Washington fans wondering about fairness. If a team that was in the play-in tournament is going to win the lottery, how does the draft help teams rebuild?

Cooper Flagg now will join a team with multi-time all-stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. A Mavericks team that wasn’t necessarily in rebuilding mode is now getting a player with an incredibly unique skillset and leaving the three teams with the highest chance of winning the lottery — while still getting a good player — missing out on a potential franchise-altering player.

Flagg was almost at a loss for words when he was interviewed after the lottery results were announced.

“It’s just an incredible experience to be here and have this opportunity,” Flagg said. “This is what I have dreamed of since I was a little kid… Going forward I am going to continue to look forward to being a two-way player. That is something I’ve done since I was a little kid, so I’m just going to continue to do that to the best of my ability.”

Flagg said he didn’t try to focus on where he would end up going before the lottery because it was out of his control. Not to speak for Flagg, but I know myself and probably anyone in his spot would be pleased to know they will end up at an established franchise like the Mavericks compared to a place that is rebuilding.

Who should the Hornets get at No. 4?

We all know Flagg will be gone before the Hornets select at No. 4, so the question becomes, who fits the Hornets’ needs and who is the best overall fit? Of the next four players on most draft big boards, there are two I am keeping a close eye on if I am Lee and Peterson at the combine.

Ace Bailey, 6-10 forward, Rutgers: Bailey, as tall as he is, can stretch the floor as a mid-range and three-point shooter. His versatility could prove useful for Charlotte, who have 6-7 Miles Bridges playing power forward.

The roster could be shifted around a little bit to where Bridges moves to small forward and Brandon Miller at shooting guard. If the Hornets were to do so, Bailey would fit right in. Bailey also jumps off the page defensively, averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game in one season at Rutgers.

Overall fit: A

V.J. Edgecombe, 6-5 guard, Baylor: Edgecombe is a solid three-and-D player. He is a bit raw but could develop into a special player. He weighs 180 pounds and is very quick. It wouldn’t surprise me if the team that takes him would want him to add weight for durability purposes. 

Bailey averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in one year with the Baylor Bears. Adding another guard to the fold with LaMelo Ball and Miller already established would also cause a bit of roster adaptation. Since Miller is taller at 6-7, one could assume the Hornets could move him to small forward to make room for Edgecombe at shooting guard.

Overall fit: B-minus

If by some chance, Bailey is there at the fourth pick, take him. If not, Edgecombe isn’t a bad selection, but I wouldn’t be opposed to Charlotte trading back. Then the question becomes who would be interested in trading up?

The Bugs are used to all these scenarios by now and getting unlucky in the draft lottery is not uncommon. Now, a new coach and VP get to experience what others before them have, and for Hornets supporters, once again, it’s not a fun spot to be in.

Comments