Could the Charlotte Hornets select Washington star Hannes Steinbach in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Many NBA analysts believe the Charlotte Hornets need to draft a center in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic is in that camp as well.
In his latest mock draft, Vecenie has the Hornets selecting Washington star Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick.
"Steinbach is the next center on the board whom scouts feel strongest about," Vecenie wrote. "The best rebounder in the draft, Steinbach has massive hands that he uses to his utmost potential both in ball screens and on the glass. He averaged 11.8 rebounds per game this year, including a monstrous 4.2 offensive rebounds per game that would fit incredibly well with what the Hornets are building scheme-wise under Charles Lee, as they care immensely about the possession battle. Steinbach also moves very fluidly and has huge, broad shoulders that he uses well in screens and also has strong timing as a roller.
"He averaged 18.5 points this year for Washington, a team that had horrendous point guard play and even less spacing around him, as they shot just 31.5 percent from 3. And yet still, Steinbach shot 62 percent from 2-point range and 58 percent from the field. He also showcases potential as a shooter, having made 34 percent of his two 3-point attempts per game. Defensively, Steinbach doesn’t move well laterally in space, and I didn’t think he was an overly impactful rim protector. His range seems to be in the N0. 10 to No. 20 part of the draft."
In 30 games for Washington this past college basketball season, Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 57.7% from the field, 34.0% from beyond the arc and 75.9% from the free-throw line.
The Hornets started LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate this season. You can make a case that Steinbach is already a better player than Diabate, who averaged 7.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season.
Diabate is better served to be a bench player. If the Hornets draft Steinbach, putting him in the starting lineup would make Charles Lee's offense more explosive since Steinbach is more of than offensive threat than Diabate.
The Hornets didn't make the playoffs this season, but they have a bright future with Ball, Miller and Knueppel leading the way. Charlotte has two picks in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. After selecting four rotation players a year ago, the Hornets have another opportunity to deepen their roster this year.
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