NBA Draft: Grades for all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference NBA Draft Grades: Charlotte Hornets

Picks: Mark Williams, Center, Duke (15); Bryce McGowens, Wing, Nebraska (40)

The Charlotte Hornets came into the draft with a pair of first-round picks at 13 and 15, but it was common knowledge they wanted to trade off of one in order to save roster spots and salary for win-now players. They did just that by moving pick No. 13 to the Detroit Pistons for a 2025 Milwaukee first, then came back around at 15 and took Duke’s Mark Williams as their center of the future.

Williams is absolutely massive, with a 7’7″ wingspan and the second-tallest standing reach in draft history, behind only Tacko Fall. He is a monster inside, both on the glass and as one of the draft’s premier shot blockers. He won’t be a floor-spacer, but he is the ultimate role player and exactly the kind of big the Hornets needed. Catching lobs from LaMelo Ball will excite fans across the Carolinas.

They traded up to pick No. 40 in the second round and added another raw wing in Bryce McGowens, which went against their plan to add win-now talent but fits with their long-term project picks last season in James Bouknight and Kai Jones. McGowens is rail thin, a non-shooter who is too skinny to finish inside. He has physical potential but he’s a long ways off. At pick No. 40, though, the value was strong.

Williams was picked right at his value, and McGowens was a slight value at 40. Their return for No. 13, however, is something of a mess and seems to simply prioritize not paying a player now.

Grade: C