With the 2025 NBA Draft taking place tonight, the Charlotte Hornets need to capitalize on finding talent.
The franchise is currently under a nine-year playoff drought and is coming off a season where they went 19-63. Although it was certainly a rough season, injuries massively plagued Charlotte.
Star guard Lamelo Ball played just 47 games due to an ankle injury and promising wing Brandon Miller only appeared in 27 games because he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Both Mark Williams and Grant Williams missed significant time due to injuries, with Mark suffering from a strained left foot tendon and a lower back injury, while Grant was sidelined by a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.
The Hornets have a few pieces already that can be part of a solid core moving forward if they can get healthy and they have a chance to add to it tonight with the number-four overall pick. According to NBA Draft consultant Rafael Barlowe, Charlotte might be looking at Jeremiah Fears.
“The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly shown interest, despite not securing a workout,” Barlowe said. “From what I’ve heard, there’s some internal belief in Charlotte that Fears and LaMelo Ball could share a backcourt. Charlotte has shown interest, even without a workout, believing he could coexist alongside LaMelo Ball.”
Since Ball entered the league, he’s been one of the NBA’s most exciting playmakers, playing a fast-paced style and constantly searching for open teammates.
Fears provides a skillset that would most likely fit right next to Charlotte’s point guard. He’s an explosive combo-guard, who uses elite quickness and a tight dribble to get past defenders. He averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 assists at Oklahoma as a freshman while being dynamic in pick-and-rolls and transition.
His play style offers some versatility in the backcourt and if Charlotte wants to solidify their guards for the future, they can do it tonight.