Who should the Charlotte Hornets draft? Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller? Possibly trade the pick?
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
The Charlotte Hornets currently hold the second pick in this year’s NBA draft. Over the years, they have not had a whole lot of success when it comes to drafting players. The Hornets are probably one of the less successful franchises (in terms of playoff success), and they desperately need to make the right decision in the draft year. This decision could potentially make or break the franchise and its future.
Trading the second overall pick for an established star player may seem like a good move, but it is not the direction the Hornets should go. Rumors say the Pelicans would trade one of their star players for the second-overall pick. Brandon Ingram is a stud and is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. However, he does turn 26 in a couple of months, and he has little to no experience in the play–in/playoffs. Zion Williamson is also an appealing target for any team to acquire, but the injury concerns and off-court drama make it a very risky investment as well. Through four seasons in the NBA, Williamson has played only 114 games. That is not even a full season and a half worth of games played in four years. Williamson is one of the best and most dominant players in the world when he is on the court, but he is too risky for a Hornets team that has already had some issues with its players being unavailable.
So, should the Hornets draft Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller? One of the main questions is whether they want the more talented player or the player that would be the better fit with LaMelo Ball. Henderson is without a doubt the most talented player in the draft after Victor Wembenyama. Not only that, but he is also perhaps one of the most talented guard prospects in recent memory. Scoot has a 6’2 and almost 200 lb frame, and you might think he’s a linebacker in the NFL if you see him. Scoot has the prototypical length for a guard, he is quick with a strong handle, and he is instantly going to become one of the most athletically gifted players in the NBA. He is a go-to scorer, can get others involved with his playmaking ability, and can get to his spots on the court with ease. He does have some areas for improvement such as his three-point shooting, defense, and decision-making. However, those things can easily improve as Scoot is only eighteen years of age. Brandon Miller is also a very talented prospect from Alabama. He is an elite jump-shooter that shot 40 percent from three in college. He has a lengthy 6’9 frame with very good shot creation ability for his size. Miller is a guy who can fit into any system and can instantly be relied on as one of the go-to scorers and offensive options. Miller is also a very good defensive player who will be able to guard multiple positions at the NBA level. There are concerns about his loose handle and his struggles during the NCAA tournament, but Miller is still quite easily the third-best prospect in the draft.
While both Miller and Henderson are great talents, the Hornets should go with the more talented player in Scoot Henderson. Drafting for fit over talent can land teams in trouble and end up haunting them for years. LaMelo Ball has become one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA and can develop an off-ball game if needed. As mentioned earlier, Scoot is only eighteen years old and was also recently seen working out with Stephen Curry. Curry is one of the best off-ball players to ever play and can teach Scoot a thing or two about playing off the ball as well. Scoot and LaMelo have the potential to become one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos and can very soon take the Hornets into championship contention.
