Charlotte Hornets · 2026 NBA Draft · Pick #12 · (34-48)
Top Positional Needs:
- C
- PF
- Wing
Round 1 Pick #12
Projection: Yaxel Lendeborg (PF, Michigan)
Why: Frontcourt productivity fits next to LaMelo Ball — pro-ready at 23.
Alternates: Aday Mara (C, Michigan), Thomas Haugh (PF, Florida)
Round 2 Pick #33
Projection: Koa Peat (PF, Arizona)
Why: Bully-ball power forward depth.
Alternates: Chris Cenac Jr. (C, HOU), Alex Karaban (SF, UConn)
Round 2 (extra) Pick #34 (from New Orleans via San Antonio)
Projection: Ryan Kalkbrenner (C, Creighton)
Why: Second R2 via complex NO/SAS/PHX/MEM chain; Kalkbrenner is their backup-5 answer.
Alternates: Rueben Chinyelu (C, Florida), Henri Veesaar (C, UNC)