The Charlotte Hornets may be staring at a 2027 draft that hands them three first-round picks, and that kind of haul changes the conversation fast. After a wild offseason, it looks likely they’ll own their own selection plus first-rounders from Dallas and Miami. The Mavericks’ pick is top-two protected, while the Heat’s is lottery-protected.
If Miami’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo pushes that team toward a playoff spot, Charlotte could wind up with a pick from the Heat as well. In that scenario, the Hornets might be looking at a draft board that includes a top-five, a top-10, and a top-20 selection.
The catch is that 2027 is being billed as a weak class. Even so, there’s still plenty of runway for prospects to rise, and the Hornets have a few names worth keeping close tabs on.
Cameron Williams is one of the cleaner fits on paper. The Duke pipeline already runs deep in Charlotte, and Williams would add another Blue Devil to the mix.
At 6'11", he gives the Hornets the kind of forward size they’d happily welcome, and he’s currently viewed as a top-five prospect, just not the top one. If Dallas’ pick lands early, he’d be a strong candidate.
Another name to watch is Stefan Joksimovic, a 6'7" hybrid guard who could slide into a real need for Charlotte. The Hornets just moved on from a guard of that size, and Joksimovic’s age - he’s only 18 - makes the upside especially intriguing. His ceiling is described as ridiculously high, and he could be the kind of swing that eventually solves the point guard spot.
That position remains a real issue for Charlotte. Coby White is on a three-year deal, and the depth behind him leaves plenty to be desired. With so many shooters on the roster, the Hornets could use a point guard who can organize things and create for others, which is why taking a lottery shot at one makes sense.
The frontcourt is another area that still needs help, especially at center. Moussa Diabaté brings value but is undersized, while Ryan Kalkbrenner was a second-round pick. Sayon Keita, a 7'0" center with real upside, could be an appealing mid-lottery target from close to home.
Tounde Yessoufou also fits the mold of a useful, versatile wing. He’s 6'5", can handle multiple positions, and is older than some of the other prospects, which could make him more ready to help sooner rather than later. Last season, his per-36 production came in at 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals.
And if Charlotte keeps leaning into size, Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas is another big body to track. He stands 7'2", and the Hornets already showed interest in Aday Mara before he was off the board in 2026. That could send them back to the size market later in the first round.
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