CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For each of the past four NBA drafts, general manager Rich Cho and the Charlotte Hornets have needed help in the backcourt. Simply put, Charlotte has been one of the worst shooting and scoring teams in the NBA during that time.
However, only once did they address that need, taking P.J. Hairston in 2014, although former North Carolina wing was a non-factor for most of the season. Cho has gone after big men and small forwards despite the overwhelming need to find people that can actually shoot from long range.
All of this begs the question: What will the Hornets do in next month's draft? Will they go after another big man (like they seemingly always do), or will they finally address the guard situation?
Currently, Charlotte is slated for the ninth overall pick. But because this is a lottery draft system, the Hornets have a shot at landing a better selection -- 1.7 percent chance at the first pick; 2 percent chance at the second pick; 2.41 percent chance at the third pick and so on until their 81.31 percent odds at grabbing No. 9 overall. By that same system, though, they could also wind up with a double-digit pick.
With the NBA Draft Combine in full swing, here's a look at what the Hornets might do.
Charlotte's past two top draft picks, Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh, have hardly tapped into their potential. In fact, Vonleh barely played this past season. And with star center Al Jefferson hobbled by nagging injuries and in the final year of his contract, there's a real chance the Hornets go big.
Should they do so, there are plenty of options. Of course, it all depends on where the Hornets pick. For argument's sake, let's assume they stay at No. 9.
Stanley Johnson, SF, 6-foot-7, Arizona
Johnson is a big-time defender, much like current small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but he's a better shooter. He was a solid 3-point shooter at Arizona and is extremely athletic.
Johnson would be a solid pick if Cho truly decides to take the best player available. It would seem like he wouldn't be the guy because Charlotte is loaded at the position, but he's a talent that may be too good to pass on.
Trey Lyles, PF, 6-foot-10, Kentucky
Lyles was overshadowed by his teammates at Kentucky, but he is a quality basketball player. He is very solid offensively, but he isn't necessarily explosive. He's a plodder, but he could become a guy that averages double-doubles for the duration of his career.
There's even a chance he could be a stretch-four in the NBA. He's also not exactly the best shot blocker or defender around, but he's still skilled enough to make an impact. He's young and it will take some time like it does with all big men his age.
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, 7-foot-1, Kentucky
Yet another hyphenated last name player from Kentucky (Kidd-Gilchrist). This would be a very intriguing selection. Cauley-Stein is an extremely gifted athlete. The problem is he's not very gifted offensively. However, on the defensive end, he can be spectacular.
He is exactly what Charlotte needs to help out with the poor defense of Jefferson. Cauley-Stein could be a literal game-changer defensively, which is what head coach Steve Clifford loves.
Myles Turner, C, 6-foot-11, Texas
Turner is another player that excels defensively and is a very good shot blocker. He has a super-long wingspan and is an intimidating force on the inside. Offensively, he needs work, but he has a decent enough jump shot where he can hit mid-range shots on a regular basis.
Here's the problem: This a very poor draft for guards and the only real way the Hornets would be able to get a big-time guard is if they trade up or luck out in the lottery. There's also the possibility of trading down, where they could grab someone like Duke point guard Tyus Jones.
There is an outside chance they could take point guard Cameron Payne out of Murray State, but it seems rather unlikely because the Hornets are married, for better or for worse, to point guard Kemba Walker, whose new four-year, $48 million extension kicks in this season.
Walker finished next-to-last in field goal percentage in the NBA last season for those that qualified for the shooting title.
One of the best shooters in the draft, if not the best, is Devin Booker out of Kentucky. He's a 6-foot-6 3-point shooting specialist. He seems to have everything the Hornets need, but he's not the most athletic player in the world. Even so, if Charlotte can trade down, this seems like the perfect fit.
