Hornets Make Big Mistake with No. 6 Selection in Latest Mock Draft

The 2024 NBA Draft is only two days away and like every other team, the Charlotte Hornets are making their evaluations to finalize their big boards. With the No. 6 overall pick, new general manager Jeff Peterson has a chance to add a high-level prospect next to the LaMelo Ball-Brandon Miller-Mark Williams core in Charlotte.

As we approach June 26, we are getting more intel about what the Hornets' plans are. ESPN's draft expert Jonathan Givony has Charlotte select Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee in his latest mock. Considering that the sharpshooter is also the betting favorite to be the sixth-overall selection, all signs point to Charlotte going with Knecht on draft night.

This would be a big mistake for the Hornets.

Hornets News: Dalton Knecht Lands in Charlotte in Latest Givony Mock Draft

The Charlotte Hornets are in the very early stages of a rebuild. They traded away Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and PJ Washington at the trade deadline to kickstart a new era. This was a long-time coming and it was the right decision.

Now, the Hornets are in asset accumulation mode. They need to bring in as many prospects with upside as possible while adding more draft capital. Dalton Knecht doesn't fit to this strategy.

Knecht was one of the best players in the country last season. He is an elite and versatile shooter. He also has some athleticism that makes him a good off-ball player. He is a ready-to-contribute player that can make an impact immediately as a rookie.

He is also one of the oldest players in the draft class. He already turned 23 years old and played five years of college basketball. The track record of 23-year-old players drafted in the lottery is not inspiring. Obi Toppin, Doug McDermott, Davion Mitchell, and Chris Duarte are some recent examples.

This limits his upside significantly. At this point, the Hornets need to prioritize upside and select the best player available when it's their turn at No. 6. Knecht might be the best player right now, but it's highly unlikely that he will be a few years from now. It's about time the Hornets started thinking about that rather than the present.

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