SURPRISE Draft Targets for the Charlotte Hornets | Would Jeff Peterson Have Drafted LaMelo Ball?

SURPRISE Draft Targets for the Charlotte Hornets | Would Jeff Peterson Have Drafted LaMelo Ball?

after the Hornets selected Tan Salon last year we’re just a little afraid around here having not done our homework on a guy because we didn’t talk about Ton all that much we’re trying to avoid that mistake again who are the guys that we would consider blind spots players that aren’t being talked about enough that the Hornets could select in the first round we have more mock drafts we have Siko Satchel questions that’s all today locked on Hornets you are Locked on Hornets your daily Charlotte Hornets podcast part of the Locked On podcast network your team every day in a minute cuz we live [Music] it’s Locked On Hornets part of the Locked On Network it’s your team every day thanks for making us your first listen we’re free we’re available anywhere you get your podcast and that includes YouTube there’s Doug Branson every hornetsboxcore.com also hosts locked on NBA go check it out already if you only listen to Lockdown Hornets one we thank you but you know you can branch out just a little bit go check out some other locked on podcast network pods locked on NBA Matt Moore and Hayes doing a great job walker Mail uh listen to me on WFNZ every weekday 12 to 300 p.m got one more day to go filling in for the Kyle Bailey Show it’s been going well so far little drive time walkie talk uh listen 927 FM blind spots it’s so funny man because I we’ll reference it every once in a while but nobody saw the Ton Salon selection coming i think last year we had like one guy hanging out in our YouTube comment section that would pop up I don’t know every five to seven episodes hey what about Tan Salon look at this guy overseas he’s awesome he’s the real deal that was the extent of it we mentioned it and we moved on and sure enough he’s the Hornets draft pick we’re trying to avoid that okay doug had the idea of just making sure that we’re checking our blind spots okay we look in the side mirror just because you don’t see the player there like you got to lean up a little bit go check your blind spots all right so who are the guys that Oh okay oh there is a car over there i I shouldn’t switch lanes right now who are those draft prospects doug lead us off here who are some of those guys draft picks are closer than they may appear we have to I love it just be careful that was going to be my next joke i was going to let you do it then I was going to fill in but nice job beating me to the punch and so many I used to joke with a friend of mine in college that he was funnier but I was faster uh yeah there’s so many opportunities here for the Hornets the Hornets to move back uh that I think we have to take it seriously and there’s been enough noise around that and actual reporting around the Hornets making calls to teams and fielding calls and saying “Yeah we’re definitely interested in moving back.” And there are teams like the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans that will be monitoring who the Sixers take at three and if they can get a deal done with the Sixers and if they can’t then that’s going to open up all kinds of things for the Hornets to make some quick decisions and so if they do move back let’s say six to 10 I think there are a number of guys that we haven’t talked about yet i think Khan Canibble could be available in that range we talked a ton about him but how about a guy like Carter Bryant from Arizona who people are just saying look if you want a 3 and D guy this guy’s 67 7 foot wingspan almost 20 years old so he has you know he’s a little bit older uh than than you know your 18 and a half and 19 year old prospects um and he’s a three and D guy he’s going to he’s he’s going to do all those things and the the the comps for him are Tumani Chimera Marvin Williams Aaron Gordon i mean there’s some good names that are comped with him and uh Tari Een also because he is super committed to the defensive end of the floor and those guys are hard to come by and they’re super valuable and to get a guy like that again would you There’s so many opportunities for the Hornets to take a guy that could be a seven eight nine tenure role player for them and it’s not sexy people don’t We don’t love to talk about that here people don’t love to hear about it they want to go and say “You’ve got the fourth pick go and get the superstar.” But but we’ve seen it over and over with the two teams that are in the finals right now those teams are built on the seventh eighth ninth guy in the rotation you being able to count on them for stout defense and to knock in some threes when you’re down five in the fourth quarter and Carter Bryant seems like a guy that could do that not going to hit threes but Kylin Murray boils like if they’re looking for physicality if they’re looking for somebody that’s committed on the defensive end of the floor if they’re looking for somebody that could become a greater version of themselves and you get to pick up maybe a shooting asset along the way like a Cory Kissert from Washington then why not why not take your shot at a guy like Colin Murray Boils from South Carolina yeah I mean can’t shoot very well you look at the above the break threes shot 29% on those threes didn’t shoot really any from the corner in fact shot.9% of his field goal attempts from the corner in college so maybe he’s hiding it under a bushel may the next Nick Richards with this team i I I like the idea of drafting off of that and Jeff Peterson at the podium saying “No our organization believes that he’s hiding a corner three under a bushel.” Next question anybody yeah you should feel comfortable with this draft process but no defensively I know a lot of people love them the comps are like if you go to the Ringer draft guide with some of the funny comps that they’ll give to guys it’s Draymond Green it’s Ron Artest or Meta World Peace the big bubble is Anthony Mason which is so funny when you see those comps and then you go up 10 spots right cuz Colin Marie Boils is all the way down at 16 according to the draft guide but if you go up to Khan Caniple you’re seeing comps like Wally Zerbiaak and you’re going to VJ Edgecom who you and I both like and you’re seeing comps to Radioactive Spider bitten Kintavius Caldwell Pope it’s like wait c can I just can I get the guy that has the low outcome of Meta World Peace all the other AllNBA and all defense and defensive player of the year comps can I just get that guy instead a little bit later so the comps are kind of funny i’m with you i think he’s probably a good blind spot guy the other names that I’m bringing up um it’s a name that Natada mentioned but just a little bit yesterday thomas Sorber is a 610 freshman out of Georgetown you know you look at what he’s So he’s what 69 and has a 76 wingspan if you feel like he can be your defensive anchor who at 260 lbs by the way like he’s a a monster a monster of a dude where maybe he’s not as tall as the other centers in this draft like a Malawatch or a Danny Wolf that might be another blind spot guy I don’t think so but could be here but Sorber I feel like that might fit a little bit of what Charles Lee is looking for maybe not with the height but I wonder if the wingspan and the standing reach might offset that in a tradeback scenario it feels like you might trade a little bit further back if you’re going to be in the Sorber range but that’s another name that I thought uh Natada brought up yesterday that did make some sense because Doug it’s it’s not like we’re off of center right we’re not off the position entirely in fact we’re looking at maybe addressing that in the second round and K Brener has been our favorite reo is someone we love but we’ve stopped talking about him because it just doesn’t seem like he’s going to be there he’s going to be a first round pick i mean he could sneak up in the lottery but it’s not like we’re avoiding center it’s just that there aren’t any options that make sense to us within the range the Hornets are selecting maybe that’s how the Hornets feel it would be a lot of centers on the roster but maybe Sober is another guy that’s a blind spot dude i mean I think this top 10 is just filled with positional fit for the Charlotte Hornets like I think Carter Bryant slots right in like he’s what if Kelly Ubé but was super committed to the defensive end of the floor in a way and and had the tools defensively as he develops to become like a Kelly Ubé plus defender like that would be I think that would be exciting to what the Charlotte Hornets have right now when you’re talking about Colin Murray Boils uh yeah can’t shoot right now could he develop I mean neither could Draymond Green and Draymond Draymond Green went on this sort of arc where like he became a good shooter and then became not a good shooter again but you know you could see Colin Murray Boils doing some of the same things and you you’ve got a little bit of defensive and positional versatility with him so he could play some small ball center if you don’t want to address your center position right away or you need a you know if you want to move on from Mark Williams it gives you that flexibility because you could start Nerkach and then have Colin Murray Boils sort of float between power forward and center um you know I think it it would give you time if you feel like Tan Salon needs another year Colin Murray Boils gives you another year of figuring out what Ton is before you finally move on maybe from Miles Bridges and see what that how that contract develops but then Colin Murray Boils plays right in behind uh Miles Bridges also if you do trade back you do allow yourself opportunities to take players where it’s not the idea is not going to be for them to start as soon as possible you can take an NBA ready role player who is not going to be up too upset and the money is going to be such where your your books aren’t going to be as upset with that player spending a year as a a as a bench role player and so whether it’s Sorber uh Colin Murray Boils again I recognize that that the comments are going to be like “Are you telling me you’re going to pass up on VJ or the opportunity to select a star like if you believe in in in Trey or Ace Bailey like you’re going to pass that up?” I mean if it means that the Hornets I would be less in love with it if the Hornets trade back for future draft assets I would be more in love with it honestly if they were to work with a team like Washington or Brooklyn or New Orleans to bring back an already NBA readymade asset that could either help them be better shooters or be better defenders this team has a ton of holes if they could answer multiple of those in in this draft I think that’s a win for the Charlotte Hornets yeah and I think I’m viewing this more as what the Hornets might do more so than what I’m advocating for because I’m always thinking about what I want so 100% and you should it’s it’s it’s okay to be selfish sometimes it’s okay to be selfish probably not all the time don’t listen to that part but if they do draft if they do trade back and then draft some of these guys that’s how I’m looking at it i don’t want to pass up on VJ i’m just I’m taking VJ Edgecomb if he’s there at four and I’m calling it a day i’m just done let’s move on with that kind of guy if you trade back a couple of spots then maybe you still are in some kind of Trey Johnson coniple territory i’m probably just gonna take one of the shooting guards and then do the same thing call it a day but I’m looking at blind spots because I don’t know what oncoming traffic is heading my way right i just I’m looking back seeing what some of the other opportunities are uh you want to go rapid fire just real quickly i’m going to throw names your way and you tell me if that car is in one of your blind spots you ready okay yeah okay all right derek Queen somebody we used to talk about and haven’t because of bad combine stuff he’s very slow but really really talented and fun offensively too much bust potential for me they cannot The one thing the Hornets cannot do is waste this pick entirely and have another 2021 situation on their hands derek Queen to me presents that opportunity he’s in the rearview mirror igor Deon out of BYU the passing Zant yeah the falling star i mean people had him like top three for a long time and then they got a good look at him in college too many turnovers the playmaking the shooting not as there as they thought it was going to be i’m not I’m not in love with that particularly when you’re bringing him to a team where LaMelo Ball is going to soak up so much of the oxygen i think Igor Demon if Demond if he goes to a team is going to need playing time i’m not sure he’s going to get it in Charlotte he’s like he’s not even in the rearview mirror i don’t see that guy okay that guy’s at the rest stop that guy’s at the rest stop uh he shot 18.6% from three on over five attempts per game it’s really just the audacity it’s really That’s what I love it’s It’s the shooting volume on shooting under 20% it’s a Tim Cup mentality just Just throw up more shots my guy i love it um Nick Clifford out of Colorado State i know a lot of people like him is he somebody that is a possible blind spot guy oh man nick Clifford’s an interesting one and the thing that people are going to point to immediately is that he’s 23 years old right super senior so a lot of the stuff that you’ve seen from him so far is already going to be baked in you’re basically getting generally the player that you’re going to expect over the next four or five years you’re getting that immediately uh and so man if this team were I think a little bit more ready to compete like if they had maybe gotten to the playin last season if everyone would have stayed healthy and then it felt like maybe they were a piece or two away then you could sell me on Anique Clifford who does seem to be another sort of two-way player can I think shot 37.7% from three last season uh I mean the the numbers the college numbers look really good but like how much of that is going to translate to the NBA versatile defender guards multiple positions like a lot of it makes sense but maybe it makes sense for a team that if it’s going to be your only pick like if Nate Clifford’s the only pick then I think that’s going to be disappointing to a lot of Hornets fans who do want to see someone with a little bit more of an upside play that could possibly make an all-star game like I think you know there’s a little bit of room there for Carter Bryant to do that there’s a little bit of room there for Colin Murray Boils who we’ve just you know we’re going to do uh Draymond Green comparisons till the Cows come home there’s a little bit of room for that with Nick C so I’ll say Nick Clifford is in my blind spot he’s not in my rear view he’s in my blind spot but it would have to come with maybe like a combination of some other things happening for for that to make a lot of sense for me um okay final one here i’m just going to give you I think one more uh what about rear view so yeah Na is in the rear view for me yeah yeah yeah okay those are the ones I have i did have another one I wanted to add though i see it now like one of the French guys but the name that I’ve been hearing a lot of people it’s it’s maybe two i’ll just throw two of them uh Behringer and Noah Penda those guys are are they blind spot players uh maybe maybe for trade i think those to me would be trade up opportunities like if you wanted to if you fell in love with that guy or a little too far back from four yeah yeah i think like that’s a 30 packaging 33 and 34 and something to get up into the late first round if one of those guys falls and you know your you know your scouting department was like hey this is an opportunity here then yeah I think the one thing we do know is the Hornets are going to fall in love with someone and and if that’s VJ Edgecom it might be VJ Edgecom but it might be something wildly different and I think that’s why it’s important to pay attention to these blind spots uh by the way I didn’t bring up Coward i I know you’re a big fan of Coward so we started right not even in my blind spot like he’s he’s out in front of I would love Coward yeah yeah yeah a coward yakonis is somebody that we’ve talked about a decent amount as being like the guy that we’ve kind of prepped everyone for if they do trade back maybe that would make some sense so um those are the reasons I didn’t bring those names up coming up next on the Locked On Hornets podcast everywhere it’s been a while we have not rummaged through the Siko satchel in quite some time we do it in the next segment Locked on Hornets [Music] this episode is brought to you by Car Gurus shopping for a car should be exciting not exhausting but between the confusing prices and hidden fees it can feel overwhelming but that’s why I love using Car Gurus they help you cut through the noise and show you the best deals with full confidence with over 4 million listings Car Gurus has more new and used cars than any other major online marketplace in the US and they verify dealers provide real price analysis and give you the tools and data you need to make the right choice without second-guessing yourself if you need a deal you can trust CarGurus makes it easy to compare vehicles sidebyside with unbiased deal ratings and the best feature is that they have price drop alerts so you know exactly when the perfect car is available for your budget buy or sell your next car today with CarGurus at cargurus.com go to cargurus.com to make sure your big deal is the best deal that’s c a rg guargurus.com cargurus.com more locked on hornets ahead [Music] how appropriate by the way if I was a good host I would have made the connection of blind spots and car gurus i didn’t i apologize to our sponsor but we appreciate them still for helping us out on the Locked On podcast network we move on the Sicko Satchel you are the keeper it’s been a while is it full like do we just have a ton of mail from all of these fans that are at our doorstep like the paparazzi um how many questions do we got here Doug we’ve got two questions here from the Siko Satchel that I’ve pulled out for today but yes we’ve got a lot more some of them are more silly season questions and we love those uh we are really focused on the draft right now so we’re going to we’re going to stick to those for now but send all of your silly season questions and we will get to them uh on uh at a future date and that’s jointex.comlocked onhornets you can do a 14-day free trial go ahead and get your question in we really appreciate it all right here we go from casual Hindu of the first Lance Stevenson division uh and they ask “Do you think the current organization would have drafted LaMelo Ball?” Good question good question so the guys there at the time you had a Devin Vel you had an Enka Kung Woo you had I need to pull up some of the draft guys because James Wiseman we’ll just operate that anthony Edwards is off the board right and uh James Wiseman is off the board so that was also the COVID year which does I’m not trying to put him in the co year but it is still kind of interesting how that played out patrick Williams Isaac Aoro Killian Hayes at seven Obi-Wan Denny Aia at nine Jaylen Smith 10 Devin Vel 11 and then let’s just end with a star Tyrese Hallebertton at 12 oh boy you know it was considered a threeperson draft i remember the reports that the interviews were not going well for LaMelo in fact the late the great Rick Benell was one of the guys out in front of that report he was one that kind of broke that news interviews weren’t going well but it was widely accepted it was then kind of followed up like the Ace Bailey stuff yeah this is going on in NBA circles i can’t tell you definitively yes that they would have i ultimately think they would have selected LaMelo because it was considered more so of a threeperson draft Doug and we just didn’t know who was going to go first between Anthony Edwards James Wisman and LaMelo ultimately I think they would have done a lot of homework elsewhere perhaps this would have been a tradeback scenario for them but yeah I think they eventually would have just taken LaMelo they do put a lot of they do put it seems like I mean with the t all the reporting around the ton pig that they they put a lot of stock into meeting a player looking them in the eye talking to them seeing if that player had a desire to become great and maybe they could have done that with LaMelo Ball and overlooked whatever Golden State was looking at and saying “I don’t I don’t know if this is right.” I think if you put those guys in the situation that the Hornets were in at that time which is they were desperate for something some kind of star power that could move them in another direction i just think they would be I think they were smart enough in in that situation to say “Okay we have to take the swing here we’ll figure it out we’ll get them in our system we’ll turn it around.” Honestly I wish that were the case i wish that we’ve seen what Charles Lee was able to get out of LaMelo this season like imagine if that were you know his coach from the very beginning like maybe we see a a even better version of LaMelo Ball than we’ve seen particular more complete I should say I think complete is the right word there version of LaMelo Ball than than we’ve seen so far so I think they would you know it’s always it’s difficult to answer I don’t I hope they would I hope they would not because I think that’s the danger for them is sort of overthinking some of this talent stuff you know and but but also I think they have a recognition of where this franchise is right now and you have to make you have to make some of your decision-m off of that you can’t operate a as the the kind of franchise uh you know that you want to be necessarily you have to you have to deal with some of the realities of what you are if you want to be most successful uh that I remember that draft I did almost go Galaxy brain and think and toy with the idea of taking Devin Vel huge Vel guy loved him um but he was the 11th pick and then eventually I settled on like nah you gotta take the star like LaMelo LaMelo’s the guy but yeah yikes almost uh almost had a disaster choice there when we go back and look at our history that not that would not have been a good one any other sicko satchel questions oh yeah we got another one um I think Well would well let’s let’s extend this question a little bit and uh because we’ve got another one but I want to do it on the other side would they would do you think this version of the organization would have selected Malik Monk i don’t know so the thing about that draft oh my god I I hate that you bring him up i I don’t want to argue with you about Malik Monk anymore all I want is peace but you bring him up all the time and I All I want is peace but you want chaos those are the differences between us so Malik Monk remember he was a hot commodity man like a lot of people really liked him nobody expected him to fall but to the contrary he did fall like he did go number 11 for a reason and Rich Cho just felt well we have some star power that is here um and you’ve even seen it develop for different teams as a sixman of the year candidate almost won it offensive hub when he’s in the game and even had some nice playoff performances but also it took him a while it did and I don’t think that they would have taken him honestly not with what this organization prioritizes i think Donovan Mitchell yeah bam out of bio maybe those guys would have been the type of guy that they want just because they not that Malik had terrible character but he made bad decisions here i he was also like a fun guy i I loved Malik’s personality he was fun but the whole serious stuff I think Donovan Mitchell was that older player bam out of bio seemed to carry himself with a little more uh sincerity yeah I would say probably not i’ll say no they definitely would not have and and the question here is we’re teleporting Jeff Peterson in this front office into that situation so we’re not taking Charles Lee with us i I think in my LaMelo Ball conversation I I had a dream that that Charles Lee would have also teleported with Jeff Peterson and been LaMelo Ball’s coach but I think that the spirit of this question is do you think the it says the current organization so I don’t know maybe maybe Casual Hindu is thinking Charles Lee also goes through the portal but if it’s just Jeff Peterson and so Steve Clifford is the coach I say they definitely don’t take LaMelo Ball they don’t take Malik Monk in that situation because I think what we’ve seen from Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee so far is that they’ve been sympatico they have been like in line with each other about what they think this franchise needs from a personnel perspective and so I think that Jeff Peterson would have trusted Steve Clifford a little bit more they would have been a little bit more in line because I think Clifford and Charles Lee have a lot of the same ideas and that’s why I mean Clifford still hanging around the organization has a lot of respect for Charles Lee charles Lee has a lot of respect for Clifford i’m not saying they’re the exact same coach or that they think the same but I think Charles Lee would have fallen in love with Donovan Mitchell as well i think Steve Clifford was obviously in love with Donovan Mitchell steve Clifford and Rich Cho did not have that same kind of relationship they did not no there was a weird thing with Clifford Cho and Jordan there was this weird like communication who’s who wants like who has daddy’s ear more sort of situation and it didn’t always mesh between Clifford and Show i think Peterson would have gotten along much better with Clifford and then they would have made Donovan Mitchell the pick it’s funny because I think Cliff had MJ’s ear more than Cho and and it whatever Cho had I I think probably ruined it with passing up on Donovan Mitchell who was just so good right away like that’s the issue is Mitchell was amazing immediately right but who who has the ability it’s one thing to have their ear it’s the other the other thing is being able to like convince and so I guess that would be the more pertinent question maybe it’s like could Jeff Peterson have said no to Michael Jordan’s wishes you know hey I think this Malik Monk guy is better you know I don’t know probably not no I’m going to guess not honestly to that there’s actually I’m not going to guess i’m going to go I’m going to know that he’s not going to convince MJ if MJ wanted it to happen then he would have made it happen that’s I believe Jeff Peterson i believe he would have stood his ground and said “No sir Michael donovan Mitchell is the better prospect here buddy.” Yeah that would have taken a lot of yuspa from somebody deciding to go MJ his first year on the job essentially or second year on the job just like you know what you’re wrong MJ well he but but he had you have to understand that again he had just come through a portal from the future so I think that would hold a lot of weight that’s true and with that being said he probably would do an excellent job picking from that draft probably coming up next on the Lockdown Hornets podcast beast everywhere we’ll see if there are any like loot you said uh we’ll see if there are any loose fries in the sicko satchel bag that we can eat that fell out of the uh of the container plus we have another mock draft day 57 of 61 it hasn’t hit me yet i It feels like we’re still weeks away but we’re not we’re We’re a week away from the NBA draft that’s crazy one more segment to go loh [Music] this episode is brought to you by Wayfair there’s nothing like stepping into your own outdoor space and feeling like you’ve escaped to a personal oasis if you’re wanting to update your patio this season Wayfair has made it so easy to turn it into a space that feels like yours comfortable stylish and ready for summer wayfair has everything you need to level up your outdoor space conversation sets outdoor bars fire pits hot tubs gazeos and yes even the perfect string lights to set the vibe it’s like giving your backyard that resort feel without the resort price tag that’s nice don’t wait make your outdoor space your dream oasis today with Wayfair and enjoy it all summer long head to wayfair.com right now to shop a huge outdoor selection that’s w afir.com on wayfair.com wayfair every style every home more lockdown hornets ahead [Music] any loose fries in the sicko satchel bag Doug yeah we’ve got one here from Ben from the seventh Dwayne Bacon division draft trade idea absolutely zero intel here but I have a hunch that Brooklyn’s got their eyes and hearts set on Ace Bailey and maybe vice versa the Nets have a war chest of picks this year owning the rights to number 8 19 26 27 if VJ is off the board before four would you want to trade back with Brooklyn for picks 819 and one of the 20 picks charlotte can probably still get Carter Bryant at eight and then we would further consolidate some of the new Brooklyn picks with our 33 and 34 to move up again ideally for Danny Wolf for Cedric Coward hell yeah it’s a lot it’s a lot there hey look if Okay so really the idea is would you trade number four in this scenario would you trade number four for 819 and we’ll even just take the latter of the 20s 27 so three first rounders in this draft class where you can get somebody that might fall to you at eight or you just get three bites at the apple i know that trading back in the NBA draft is not the same as trading back in the NFL draft but if you’re gonna give me three top 27 picks and now I have five top 34 picks I’m not saying that you use every single one of those selections i know that the money has to equal out as well like that’s a little harder like that that’s tough you’re not going to have five new players but my god man it’s it’s a lot it’s a lot so yeah I I would not mind that at all honestly if they decided to do that I’d probably pull the trigger so I think the idea here is that you don’t come away with five players you get multiple picks from the Nets and then you package th some of that yeah you do what Portland did like several years ago which was they were all over they were trading back and then they packaged a bunch of picks to move back up and then they were moving down and they were moving up and it was like it was like an elevator with Portland that one season so like Scott Fitterer for all the Panthers fans this is what Fitter loved to do which isn’t a great endorsement of this philosophy but it is what he loved to do but you end up coming away with hopefully you would end up coming away with two first rounders that you were in love with that you felt like could contribute and would contribute for a few years under very uh you know cheap contracts because you were super confident in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller like that’s why you do this you don’t you don’t take I don’t think you take three first rounders to put uh onto a team that you’re like ready to go get a bunch of veterans to surround them with like you’re in that in that scenario like you are ready to sort of cheap you know because you know you got to pay Brandon Miller in a few seasons you’re sort of building around that core and hoping that that those players take off in a similar mold to what you know OKC has been able to do uh but you better hit like OKC did that one year when they got Jaylen Williams and they got you know a few other prospects that are currently uh dogging out for them right now so yeah like I just don’t I don’t think that them coming away with like four first round picks makes much sense if they if they want to up the competition level in the next two seasons i I would be more of a long that would be more of a long-term play in my mind i just that’s so much to turn down that’s a lot man i just I I’m I’m doing it if VJ Edgecom is there at four and then I’m I understand just going ahead and taking VJ if he’s not then all right you’re at eight i don’t think Canipple or Trey Johnson would fall all the way back that far ace Bailey goes three in this scenario you have fears right let’s play this out if fears is a pick you’re not worried about fears so okay that’s fine we didn’t want him anyway uh that put that puts you in Yakon’s territory maybe somebody’s falling in love with Colin Murray Boils you know maybe somebody wants him like is there a Derek Queen come on Malawatch you know he’s probably going up there you know okay we don’t want Malawatch here in Charlotte so that there’s another guy that doesn’t concern us yeah like there there’s some nice options that could still be there at number eight for you so I I will say Ben is in my brain right now because if if they come away from this draft with Carter Bryant and Cedric Coward you’re gonna see Dance and Doug on that version of the locked on Hornets by I will do I will actually do a literal dance if that’s what they come away with plus you know if they were to make some of that deal happen plus bring back another veteran shooter like that would be to me that’s home run and that to part of that for me if I’m being honest is that my full faith and confidence in VJ Edgecom becoming a star is not there my full faith and confidence in Trey Johnson being able to contribute in the ways that the Hornets need a player to contribute immediately at the wing position not there because he’s not he’s not strong enough he can’t get downhill enough like that’s I love Trey Johnson i I I fell in love with his shooting i fell in love with his offensive creativity early on in this draft process but the more I look at it in a world in which the Hornets had a wing that was more burly and more physical there would be a universe in which I could see Trey Johnson really being an impact player on this team but it’s it’s just becoming more difficult for me to envision that and that’s despite I’m looking at I don’t have a mockdraft for you today but I do have final NBA draft prospect rankings which is just as good as a mockdraft from CBSports.com and they’ve got Trey Johnson three in their final rankings this is a poll of the CBS Sports staff and they’ve got Trey Johnson 3 but the comp is still Malik Monk which may be part of this too it’s scaring the crap out of me that’s a I think that’s a Kyle Boon comp but they’ve got the pro comparison Malik Monk for Trey Johnson um that’s that’s difficult for my mind to deal with well Malik Monk now is Yeah like you’re worried about first three years first four years for Doug Branson malik Monk malik Monk six man of the year favorite i I think he should have won but that’s cuz I love Malik but Malik Monk now yeah that guy’s really good uh so I’m I’m fine with Trey Johnson turning into that kind of guy the thing about Trey with the rim stuff you do worry about it he’s scrawny that’s there’s no doubt i actually think there’s some like two-foot jumping in the paint finishing chops to his game with the defense a little more spread out i just think it there was so much of that offense that relied on his tough shot making and also the fact that you can shoot threes that you do have I think some you know enough shots in the bag to be able to be a threat from a bunch of different areas i I hear you on all of it it’s why I would take VJ over Trey but I’ I’d be fine i’m I’m taking Trey over Khan Canipple i will tell you that so that’s how I would have the shooting guards ranked right now vj one Trey 2 Coninipple three um but yeah I like the Trey Raid back scenario too if you’re able to collect all those first round picks five top 34 picks it’s a lot it’s a lot in this draft so that’d be that’d be crazy to figure out what to do with it is that going to do it nothing else from you no more Sicko Satchel no more mock drafts are we done well we’re not done with mock drafts we’ve got a few more to get to next week but we will be in the week of the draft all the smoke all the mirrors all the trying to figure out what in the bleep the Hornets are going to do uh because they are super secretive now about their entire draft process uh it’s going to be fun we’re going to get a lot of stuff right we’re going to get a lot of stuff wrong uh but we’re going to have a lot of fun all right that’ll do it thanks for making us your first listen we’re free we are available anywhere you get your podcast that does include YouTube doug Branson every hornetsboxcore.com big week ahead for them on Locked on NBA go check it out matt Moore Hardwood peroxism is his substack also check out Hayes on Locked on NBA also Locked on Bulls is what Hayes is hosting as well if you got a little Bulls fandom somewhere in you I’m Walker May listen to me wfnz every weekday from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m one more day to go on the Kyle Bailey Show from 3 to 6 have a great weekend draft week next week tune in we’ll cover all uh we’ll cover everything about it baby we’re going to have you updated [Music]

We’re checking our draft blind spots after missing out on Tidjane Salaun buzz last year. Could trade-back targets like Carter Bryant or Collin Murray-Boyles offer better value than sticking at #4?

After last year’s surprise selection of Tidjane Salaun, the Locked On Hornets crew is making sure they don’t miss another rising prospect. Doug and Walker dive deep into the Hornets’ draft “blind spots,” spotlighting under-discussed players like Carter Bryant, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Thomas Satoor. They explore how these names fit into a potential trade-back scenario that could land Charlotte multiple first-rounders.

Is Carter Bryant the defensive-minded wing this roster needs? Could Collin Murray-Boyles offer Draymond Green-like versatility down the line? And what’s the deal with Thomas Satoor’s upside as a defensive anchor? The hosts also revisit infamous draft “what-ifs,” asking whether the current front office would have selected LaMelo Ball or Malik Monk. Plus, they unpack a bold listener trade scenario involving Brooklyn’s picks and discuss whether giving up the No. 4 selection for multiple firsts makes sense.

As draft week approaches, Doug and Walker weigh the risk of passing on VJ Edgecombe or Tre Johnson in favor of deeper roster construction. They break down pros, cons, and comps—including why Tre Johnson’s Malik Monk comparison is giving Doug nightmares.

Don’t miss this crucial draft episode that’s as much about what the Hornets might do as what they should do.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets

Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA

Get Doug’s gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter
Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets
Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl
Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Now through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets