There’s a yearning in Charlotte—call it a craving—for someone who can just score. Whether it’s Texas' Tre Johnson or Duke's Kon Knueppel, a segment of Hornets fans are begging for a bucket-getter. A pure scorer. A guy who can put the biscuit in the basket.
With the Hornets slotted at No. 4 in the 2025 NBA Draft, there’s both flexibility and frustration in the air. Sure, the top four could feature some mix of Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey or VJ Edgecombe (shuffle the names however you want)—but what if the Hornets miss out on that tier? What if they’re left picking from the next group of talent? That’s where things get interesting.
Enter Johnson into the fold
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 wing with a silky handle and a knack for creating his own shot, is arguably the best pure scorer outside the projected top tier. His offensive game is smooth, dynamic, and often electric. Pull-up threes, midrange fadeaways, creative finishes—he’s got it all in the bag.
But here’s the catch. Most of that bag is self-generated. From the film, it's clear—Tre thrives with the ball in his hands. He’s less of a catch-and-shoot guy and more of an iso-heavy initiator. That’s fine at Texas. In Charlotte, it’s a little trickier.
Because here’s the truth: the Hornets already have guys who need the ball.
Fit Check: Is Tre Johnson the Right Thread in Charlotte’s Fabric?
LaMelo Ball is the franchise’s primary creator. Brandon Miller is still growing into his scoring alpha role. Nick Smith Jr. is another ball-dominant guard trying to carve out his space. Do you want to toss another creator into that blender?
It’s not that Johnson doesn’t have value—he absolutely does. It’s that Charlotte needs complementary value. The best version of this Hornets team isn’t everyone cooking at the same time. It’s spacing, synergy, and layered offense.
Can Tre Johnson learn to thrive off the ball? Can he run off screens, spot up, and knock down catch-and-shoot threes? If so, that changes the conversation. If not, the Hornets might be drafting a skill set they already have.
Defense and Development
New head coach Charles Lee has made one thing clear that this team will defend. There’s no shortcut around it. And to Johnson’s credit, he has the tools. At 6'6" with a 6'10" wingspan, the physical foundation is there. The question is effort—and instinct.
From the tape, Johnson's defense reads as reactive, not proactive. His stance is a bit too upright. His rotations feel a step slow. Defense is 85% effort and focus. It’s not just being in the right place at the right time; it’s forcing the issue. Can he get there with NBA coaching? Maybe. But as of now, he projects more as a net-neutral defender, not a stopper.
And what about playmaking? Johnson has flashed some vision, but he’s not a natural facilitator. He’s more get mine than get yours. That’s not inherently bad—but next to LaMelo and Miller, it’s something to consider. Can he evolve into a secondary playmaker, or does he see himself as a primary option?
The Big Picture
There are real questions around Tre Johnson—and that’s okay. The draft is always a puzzle, and Charlotte can’t afford to force the wrong piece. Johnson might be the smoothest scorer left on the board. He might also be redundant.
The answer lies in Johnson’s mentality: is he ready to adapt? Can he buy into a role, play off-ball, and give consistent effort defensively? Or will the Hornets once again be left wondering what could’ve been?
There’s no denying Johnson’s talent. But if Charlotte wants to turn the corner, they’ll need more than a highlight reel. They’ll need an actual fit for the future.