Spurs weren't the only big winners in the NBA Draft lottery
The San Antonio Spurs were the clear winners of Tuesday night's NBA Draft lottery, getting the rights to draft Victor Wembanyama, one of the most exciting and intriguing prospects to enter the Association in years.
But they weren't the only winners.
The Charlotte Hornets had the fourth-best odds of winning the lottery, and even though they didn't move up to No. 1, they jumped the Rockets and Pistons to the No. 2 spot. And because of that -- and the four other picks they hold, including a second first-rounder at No. 27 -- Charlotte has plenty of options.
The Spurs won't be trading the No. 1 pick and the right to draft 19-year-old Wembanyama, who is 7-foot-5, per ESPN, and as athletic as anyone in the draft. There hasn't been a more obvious No. 1 selection since LeBron James in 2003.
Charlotte's draft position is attractive, too, and few seem certain what Hornets owner Michael Jordan plans to do with the No. 2 pick.
The last time the Hornets lost out on the No. 1 overall pick MJ watched New Orleans select Anthony Davis. At No. 2, Charlotte picked AD's Kentucky teammate, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Davis is an eight-time All-Star, a one-time world champ and playing in the Western Conference Finals with the Lakers. MKG has been out of the league since 2020, forced into retirement at age 26 after averaging only 8.4 points over eight seasons.
Charlotte can't afford to have that happen again. The Hornets have a difficult choice at No. 2 because there are at least two players who are worthy of the selection.
Scoot Henderson is a 6-foot-2 point guard who spent last season playing for the NBA G League Ignite, having skipped college to do so. He's a Russell Westbrook/John Wall-type athlete but also lacks a great shooting touch.
Henderson played against Wembanyama's team this season and more than held his own. He'd be the consensus No. 1 pick if Wembanyama didn't exist.
After getting the No. 2 pick, Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak told Charlotte he'd consider taking a guard.
Alabama's Brandon Miller, a 6-foot-9 wing, was the SEC Player of the Year as a freshman and may be the best shooter in the draft. He's not the super athlete Scoot is, but he is plenty athletic and can guard several positions. He'd fill Charlotte's need at small forward.
Will Charlotte take the better player, the better fit or could they trade the pick to the Blazers, who pick at No. 3? The Hornets are in a powerful position.
When you factor in Charlotte also owning the 27th, 34th, 39th and 41st picks, it's safe to say the Hornets' draft room will be the busiest in the league on June 22.
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