NBA Mock Draft 5.0: LaMelo Ball holds out for Knicks; Bulls win lottery

8. Charlotte Hornets – Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC

You could make the case that the Charlotte Hornets need help all over the floor, but their most glaring of needs is in the frontcourt. And specifically at the center position. Onyeka Okongwu is the perfect selection for the Hornets at No. 8. Okongwu is an athletic big that hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface on his potential.

If there are any concerns about his game or his ability to translate to the NBA, it’ll come in terms of his 3-point shooting ability. However, it’s a skill that he could add to his game once he gets an NBA shooting coach. At the same rate, if he’s an elite defender and paint player, perhaps he doesn’t necessarily have to add to his perimeter game.

Okongwu will be a player that comes in and helps the Hornets right away. I’m not sure how much he’ll be of help immediately, but he’s the type of talent that any team would love to get their hands on at this point in the draft.