A 7-foot-3 center on the Charlotte Hornets would be fantastic.
A new NBA mock draft from ESPN has the Charlotte Hornets landing a 7-foot-3 center.
Jeremy Woo has the Hornets taking Michigan's Aday Mara with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
"Mara played exceptionally well as Michigan rolled to the title and showcased his unique skill level at 7-3," Woo wrote. "He is an excellent passer and quick processor who can be an offensive conduit, in addition to finishing simple plays. Scouts have also been impressed with his improved conditioning at his size. To realize his upside, maximizing his body and developing a reliable jump shot will be crucial -- but Mara is the most gifted center in the draft, both skill- and size-wise, with a chance to sneak into the top 10 depending on how the board falls.
"Charlotte took an organizational step forward this season, making the play-in and developing chemistry, with the addition of Kon Knueppel providing a shot in the arm. After adding extension candidate Coby White at the deadline to strengthen up the backcourt, adding to a frontcourt that could use additional size should be an option here. They also hold the 18th pick, giving them some optionality to move around the board."
Mara helped Michigan win the title this season. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.4 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 66.8% from the field, 30.0% from beyond the arc and 56.4% from the free-throw line.
Mara has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. It will be fascinating to see where he lands.
The Hornets' current starting lineup is LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate. Adding Mara to the second unit alongside Coby White would be fun to watch.
Charlotte didn't make the playoffs this year, but the franchise has a bright future with Ball, Miller and Knueppel leading the way.
The Hornets have two picks in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. After selecting four rotation players a year ago, Jeff Peterson has another opportunity to deepen his roster this year.
"I’m very excited about this draft," Peterson said. "It’s if not the deepest, one of the deepest that I’ve ever been a part of. A lot of good players all over the draft, of course. But again, where we are from an asset standpoint, it’s going to allow us to be flexible. So whether that means we bring two players in, consolidate, we’ll have different options that we’ll continue to explore and look at.
"But I’m excited for whoever we bring in because I know that it’s going to be someone who is a Hornet, and about what we’re about and at some point will contribute to what we are building here."
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