Armed with two mid-first-round picks, the Charlotte Hornets may package its assets to secure a dominant interior force like Aday Mara to anchor their rising young core.
The Charlotte Hornets draft class from 2025 engineered an amazing turnaround from the 2024-25 campaign, making it to the Play-In Tournament.
Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Liam McNeeley are pieces that could soon fuel a playoff run with star LaMelo Ball.
The Hornets have an opportunity to add impactful youth once again in the 2026 NBA Draft. Charlotte holds the No. 14 and No. 18 picks in the first round.
The Hornets could add a couple of rotational players with those picks who would have room to grow, or they could opt to package those picks to trade for a better prospect.
Per Evan Sidery, Charlotte is believed to be a team that is considering trading up to land a center. The Hornets could target Michigan center Aday Mara.
"The Hornets are viewed as a potential trade-up candidate in the lottery," Sidery posted on X. "Charlotte has picks at Nos. 14 and 18 already with a now strong young core.
"Charlotte is one major move at center away from being a contender, and Aday Mara could become a much-needed big in their system."
Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists on a Wolverines team that won the national title.
It's possible the Hornets wouldn't have to trade up to land Mara. Jeremy Woo of ESPN has Charlotte taking the seven-foot-three, 255-pound big-man from Spain with the No. 14 pick in his mock draft.
Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson believes the depth of last year's class will make it easier for him to draft in June.
“That just makes it easier, again, for whoever we draft this year,” said Peterson. “They get to see those four rookies as an example. Those are the guys who will continue to set the tone, of course, with the other guys in the locker room.
"It’ll make it easier for whoever we bring in. Like they can look at somebody like Sion and he’s setting an example of when to show up, what to do, things like that.”
Mara could be a big addition for the Hornets, who need a center. Charlotte might think about making a trade to make sure they get him.