Why The Charlotte Hornets Can't Miss in The 2025 NBA Draft

Why The Charlotte Hornets Can't Miss in The 2025 NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Charlotte Hornets enter Wednesday night’s NBA Draft holding the No. 4 pick and standing at a crossroads.

It’s a interesting spot for them to be close enough to land a potentially franchise-altering talent, but just far enough to miss out on “their guy.” And in this draft, “their guy” might go one spot too early.

With the right move, the Hornets could inch closer to relevance in the Eastern Conference. With the wrong one, they risk staying stuck in the talented, but incomplete category. Charlotte has three paths to either trade up, stay put, or trade back. Each option presents a different kind of gamble.

The foundation is there... Well, sort of. Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball are the centerpieces. And on paper, that duo gives the Hornets enough offensive firepower to at least dream about competing at a higher level. They’re the kind of talent other front offices would gladly move assets for. But as promising as their upside is, it hasn’t translated to consistent offensive efficiency and it hasn't fixed Charlotte’s defense, which has been worse.

Miller has shown flashes of defensive growth when healthy. Ball, to his credit, appears more willing to engage on that end. But the Hornets’ best defenders are likely Mark Williams (when healthy) and Josh Green. New head coach Charles Lee, a defensive-minded disciple of Mike Budenholzer and Ime Udoka, could push the team toward finally building an identity on that end of the floor.

The question becomes is how do they draft with that in mind? Let’s break down the paths ahead.

Trade Up: Going All In for Baylor's VJ Edgecombe

If the Hornets want a seamless two-way fit, Edgecombe makes a ton of sense. He brings defense and a frame that allows him to guard multiple positions. Playing the two, he could slot next to Ball and Miller without compromising spacing or shot creation. Edgecombe has the kind of modern NBA build that front offices want.

But the problem may be Edgecombe won’t be available at four. The Philadelphia 76ers, sitting at No. 3, are rumored to be targeting him aggressively. If that’s true, Charlotte would have to leapfrog them. That means parting with something valuable. Would it be worth it? Maybe. But that depends on what the asking price is and whether the front office believes Edgecombe is that guy.

Stay Put: Ace Bailey and the "Best Available" Philosophy

Staying put at No. 4 is the most logical and possibly the most unpredictable path. That’s because Rutgers' Ace Bailey, arguably the most talented offensive player left, could be sitting right there. There’s drama, of course—reports suggest Bailey has been declining interviews with certain teams to influence where he lands.

Bailey, alongside Miller and Ball, creates a long, rangy, 6’6″+ trio that would be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses. The offensive ceiling of that group? Sky high. But there’s only one ball (No Pun Intended). And that’s where Lee’s Udoka-like challenge comes in to manage touches and make it work.

If the Hornets go with pure talent, Bailey over Tre Johnson makes sense. Bailey's offensive upside is unmatched at this range. It just might take a year or two to really gel.

Trade Back: Rebuild Smarter, Not Harder

Then there’s the conservative chess move of trading back. If Edgecombe is off the board and Bailey feels like a chemistry risk, moving down becomes attractive, especially if you can package the pick with Mark Williams. They tried once and the Lakers rescinded the deal after a failed physical.

Yes, Williams is your best defensive big when healthy. But that’s the catch is when he's healthy. In a franchise where Ball and Miller already have injury flags, another unreliable star is risky.

Trading Williams and No. 4 to slide back a few spots while picking up a vet or additional assets opens another door for possibly Khaman Maluach. The Duke standout was a revelation during their Final Four run as an elite rim protector with size nearly identical to Williams but with better durability and more offensive upside. Think early Joel Embiid, not in skillset, but in the idea that you’re betting on a long-term transformation.

Maluach might not be ready to anchor a team today, but the flashes are there—and he played every single game at Duke last year. Availability is a skill. Charlotte should consider valuing it.

Related: Nike to Release Hornets Inspired Air Jordan 5 Retro “Grape”

The Final Move

The Hornets' board isn't easy to read. But the stakes are clear. This pick, whether it’s used directly or flipped, has the power to define the next three to five years of the franchise.

They can swing big. They can play it safe. Or they can walk the tightrope in between. Whatever they decide it better be the right direction. Will Charlotte checkmate their future or just stall out another year? The clock starts Wednesday night.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.