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If Cooper Flagg isn’t wearing teal next season, all eyes in Buzz City will shift to Plan B. And with a nine-year playoff drought weighing heavily on the franchise, the Hornets can’t afford to miss this pick — even if they miss on Flagg.
Charlotte holds a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick, tied with two other teams ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12. Flagg is the presumed prize — a 6-foot-9 phenom out of Duke and the reigning national player of the year. But if lottery luck doesn’t swing the Queen City’s way, the Hornets still have intriguing options to reshape their roster.
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
1. Ace Bailey Could Be the Scorer Charlotte Needs
At 6-foot-10 with a smooth handle and explosive first step, Ace Bailey delivered 17.6 points per game for Rutgers. His ability to play inside-out and stretch defenses could complement Brandon Miller on the wing while relieving LaMelo Ball of heavy scoring duties. Bailey’s versatility and length make him a top-3 lock and a real fit if Charlotte picks second or third.
2. Dylan Harper Brings Star Power and Pedigree
The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan Harper led Rutgers with nearly 20 points per game, setting a school freshman scoring record. His 6-foot-6 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan give him elite two-way potential, and his ability to create offense could be invaluable if the Hornets want another lead ball-handler to protect Ball from overuse injuries.
3. VJ Edgecombe Adds Defensive Grit and Off-Ball Movement
The Hornets have scorers. What they need is someone who can defend and move without the ball — enter VJ Edgecombe. He averaged 15 points, two steals, and a block per game, flashing the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up on stat sheets. His defensive instincts could immediately tighten a unit that ranked 28th in defensive rating last season.
If Flagg ends up elsewhere, the Hornets can’t panic — but they must get this pick right. With foundational talents on the board, Charlotte still holds the key to breaking the league’s longest playoff drought. The rebuild isn’t dead. It’s just waiting for the right piece.
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Charlotte holds a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick, tied with two other teams ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12. Flagg is the presumed prize — a 6-foot-9 phenom out of Duke and the reigning national player of the year. But if lottery luck doesn’t swing the Queen City’s way, the Hornets still have intriguing options to reshape their roster.
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Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
1. Ace Bailey Could Be the Scorer Charlotte Needs
At 6-foot-10 with a smooth handle and explosive first step, Ace Bailey delivered 17.6 points per game for Rutgers. His ability to play inside-out and stretch defenses could complement Brandon Miller on the wing while relieving LaMelo Ball of heavy scoring duties. Bailey’s versatility and length make him a top-3 lock and a real fit if Charlotte picks second or third.
2. Dylan Harper Brings Star Power and Pedigree
The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan Harper led Rutgers with nearly 20 points per game, setting a school freshman scoring record. His 6-foot-6 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan give him elite two-way potential, and his ability to create offense could be invaluable if the Hornets want another lead ball-handler to protect Ball from overuse injuries.
3. VJ Edgecombe Adds Defensive Grit and Off-Ball Movement
The Hornets have scorers. What they need is someone who can defend and move without the ball — enter VJ Edgecombe. He averaged 15 points, two steals, and a block per game, flashing the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up on stat sheets. His defensive instincts could immediately tighten a unit that ranked 28th in defensive rating last season.
If Flagg ends up elsewhere, the Hornets can’t panic — but they must get this pick right. With foundational talents on the board, Charlotte still holds the key to breaking the league’s longest playoff drought. The rebuild isn’t dead. It’s just waiting for the right piece.
Related: Hornets star says teammate allegedly point-shaved to avoid being an NBA All-Star
Related: Rex Chapman’s son Zeke carves out his own path with the Charlotte Hornets
Related: Rex Chapman’s son Zeke carves out his own path with the Charlotte Hornets
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