Charlotte Hornets Land Intriguing Forward in NBA Mock Draft

The Charlotte Hornets are enjoying a great season, as they are on the rise as a young team. Charlotte has been in a rebuild for many years, but their young talent is starting to lead the team in a positive direction.

The Hornets have climbed to 10th in the Eastern Conference, entering the Play-In, with a 26-31 record despite a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Charlotte has seen their young talent of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and others.

Knueppel, in particular, has been impressive, as he is in the race to win the Rookie of the Year award. He is averaging 19.1 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Knueppel is shooting an efficient 48.5 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from behind the arc on eight attempts per game.

In Bleacher Report's latest mock draft, they have the Hornets adding to their young core by taking Koa Peat with the 13th overall pick. 

Peat is one of the top forwards in the upcoming draft, coming out of Arizona. He is putting up solid numbers in his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, averaging 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. 

Peat is shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. His slahing, mid-range, and playmaking ability would add another element to the Hornets.

Charlotte needs more depth at forward, and Peat would give them good size at six-foot-eight. 

Peat still has areas to improve in his game, including developing his three-point shot and becoming a better defender. He has the opportunity to boost his draft stock throughout the rest of the season and through the NCAA Tournament.

The Hornets are in a great spot as they continue to ascend: they can bring in more young talent this offseason, as they own their own first-round pick and the swap rights to another first-round pick.

Peat could become a core piece for Charlotte alongside Ball, Knueppel, and Miller as they look to be a top-six seed and a straight-up playoff team next season.

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