NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': New Orleans Hornets

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

Now that the Birdman (Ka-kaw) is back, the Hornets are really only one or two pieces away from contending for a championship that they could have won last year anyway. Which makes this pick tough -- New Orleans certainly has needs, but whether or not those can be immediately answered at 27 will determine whether they actually end up pulling the trigger on any first rounders.

Picks: #27

Needs: A scorer from the two. They need some frontcourt depth too, but they can acquire that without having to use a draft pick. Not to mention an immediate offensive impact shooting guard takes the pressure off of Peja and Chris Paul (vis a vis Jannero Pargo seeing more minutes at the point).

Best case scenario: Chris Douglas-Roberts or Courtney Lee somehow drops to the Hornets in the first ... which a lot of mocks actually have happening. I think they gets pulled on before then but, oh, the three letter nicknames we'd see. Give me a second, I'll figure something out for Lee.


More likely scenario: If CDR or Lee don't fall, expect to see the Hornets bust a move. The upside of J.J. Hickson would have to be tempting, but he probably doesn't help enough right away to make it worth missing out on the possibility of addition via trade.

Please don't take: Supernintendo Chalmers could play the two for the Hornets, but so can Pargo (barring a bolt). Last year, maybe this team looks to build depth behind CP3 but an instant offensive impact guy or a frontcourt impact player of the bench are smarter tweaks to try and put this team over the top.

Trade possibilities: Very high. I've got a theory that the Hornets would be willing to make a move with Rod Thorn (if he thinks a swap of 21 and 27 can still ... net him upside and an asset) to trade up, but a lot of folks thinks the Hornets might move down, and the folks they've been working out make it seem like that's a strong possibility, especially since Lee is the only lockjob first round talent.