With the 2024 NBA Draft completed, what grade did the Charlotte Hornets get for their selections?
It was another disappointing season for the Charlotte Hornets, as the team continues to be part of the NBA Lottery. This year was no different, as injuries to LaMelo Ball for much of the season resulted in the Hornets drafting in the top 10 once again.
As a team that is still very much in rebuilding mode, the Charlotte Hornets didn’t seem to be in a rush to take a player that could have helped right away. Instead, they opted to pick Tidjane Salaun with the sixth overall pick.
In the second round, they made a nice selection with KJ Simpson who is coming off a very good year at Colorado. Recently, ESPN graded all of the teams in the NBA for their selections in the 2024 NBA Draft. Here’s what they had to say about the Hornets.
Charlotte Hornets: C+
Round 1: Tidjane Salaun (No. 6)
Round 2: KJ Simpson (No. 42)
Reports suggested the Hornets would trade down from No. 6, but they stayed put and took Salaun toward the high end of his possible draft range. As when the Washington Wizards drafted Bilal Coulibaly No. 7 a year ago, this is a case of a new front office taking a young player (Salaun is still just 18) with an eye toward long-term upside and the risk that Salaun never develops into an NBA contributor.
The Hornets made Simpson the third Colorado player drafted. Of the three, he was the best last season, averaging 19.7 PPG and 4.9 APG while shooting 43% from 3-point range.
For a team that is rebuilding, seeing a grade of a C+ has to be disappointing for the franchise. While the Charlotte Hornets like the potential of Salaun, he is very young and it could take years before he helps the team, if he does at all.
Simpson is an intriguing prospect, however. He had an excellent season at Colorado while shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc and could prove to be a steal in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Time will tell if Salaun develops into a good NBA player, but the grade received by the Charlotte Hornets is certainly concerning. It will take years for this draft to pay off, if it ever does.
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