The Charlotte Hornets are finally showing signs of life. Under new President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson, the franchise seems to be heading in the right direction \u2014 but they’re probably still a year or two away from truly turning the corner.<\/p>\n
That means all eyes turn to the 2026 NBA Draft, where Charlotte is likely to land another lottery pick, possibly inside the top 10 \u2014 or even the top four. It\u2019s another chance to bring in a future star to pair with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and rising young talents like Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley.<\/p>\n
So who could the Hornets target in next year\u2019s draft? Let\u2019s take a closer look at a few names to know.<\/p>\n
PG Mikel Brown Jr, Louisville\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Apr 1, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; McDonald’s All American West guard Mikel Brown Jr. (11) dribbles the ball against McDonald’s All American East guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) during the first half of the game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images \/ Pamela Smith-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Mikel Brown Jr. might be one of the most fun guards in the 2025 class. He plays with a calm, smooth style \u2014 never rushed, always under control. He\u2019s got great handles, knows how to run the pick-and-roll, and can hit shots from deep without a problem.<\/p>\n
What makes him stand out, though, is how smart he is with the ball. He sees the floor really well and makes the right reads. At 6-foot-2, he\u2019s not huge, but he makes up for it with feel and decision-making. He should make an immediate impact at Louisville and could rise fast on draft boards if things click.<\/p>\n
247Sports has him as the No. 6 overall recruit and the No. 2 point guard in the class \u2014 and it\u2019s easy to see why.<\/p>\n
Now, drafting a point guard might feel like a weird fit for Charlotte, given that LaMelo Ball is already in place. But if Brown Jr. lives up to the hype, the front office might have to ask some tough questions \u2014 including whether it\u2019s time to reset around a younger, more cost-effective core.<\/p>\n
F Cameron Boozer, Duke\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Apr 1, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; McDonald’s All American East forward Cameron Boozer (12) dribbles the ball against McDonald’s All American West forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the second half of the game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images \/ Pamela Smith-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
If Charlotte ends up with a top-2 pick, Boozer should be at the very top of their board. The 6-foot-9 Duke forward \u2014 and son of longtime NBA vet Carlos Boozer \u2014 is widely projected as the No. 1 pick in 2026, and for good reason.<\/p>\n
Seeing him next to LaMelo, Miller, and Knueppel? Sign me up.<\/p>\n
Boozer ranked as the No. 3 overall recruit and the top forward in the 2026 class, per 247Sports. He brings a polished inside-out game, elite rebounding, and outstanding passing instincts for a big man.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis hands are virtually magnetic,\u201d 247Sports\u2019 Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein said. \u201cHe\u2019s the best long outlet passer the high school game has seen since Kevin Love.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the kind of franchise-changing prospect that resets timelines and expectations \u2014 exactly what Charlotte needs to take the next step.<\/p>\n
SG Dame Sarr, Duke\u00a0<\/p>\n
If Kon Knueppel pans out, the Hornets might want to dip into the Duke talent pool again \u2014 and Dame Sarr fits the bill.<\/p>\n
Dame Sarr spent the last few years playing for FC Barcelona, and now he\u2019s headed to Duke, where he\u2019ll team up with Cameron Boozer this fall. At 6-foot-8 with long arms and a strong frame, he already looks the part of an NBA wing.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s got real experience playing against grown pros overseas, and it shows \u2014 especially on defense. He\u2019s super active, makes plays, and knows how to use his length to cause problems. That kind of two-way potential is exactly what a team like Charlotte should be looking for.<\/p>\n
Offensively, he\u2019s still evolving, but the scoring flashes are there. If his shot-making continues to improve, Sarr could become one of the most complete two-way prospects in the 2026 class.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Hornets aren\u2019t far off, and another smart draft pick could speed up the process. Whether they target a lead guard like Brown, a foundational forward like Boozer, or a do-it-all wing like Sarr, the 2026 draft is shaping up to be a key step in the rebuild.<\/p>\n
Why the Hornets need to strike a deal for Nikola Vucevic<\/a><\/p>\n The city of Charlotte deserves playoff basketball<\/a><\/p>\n NBA analyst reveals the Charlotte Hornets’ true hidden gem<\/a><\/p>\n