NBA Mock Draft 9.0: LaMelo Ball falls out of the top 3; Knicks snag Obi Toppin

3. Charlotte Hornets – Onyeka Okongwu, F, USC

Selection and commentary: Matt Modderno 

For the Charlotte Hornets, taking Onyeka Okongwu is both a “best player available” selection and addresses a major need. You could make a case for why James Wiseman has a higher ceiling than Okongwu but Okongwu is mobile and has the lateral quickness to defend in space. The ability for a center to be able to switch onto quicker perimeter players is a huge luxury in today’s switch-happy NBA.

Defensively, Okongwu’s ability to be a pick-and-roll defender will give the Hornets a lot of versatility. He’s a tad bit undersized so there are some questions about his ability to defend some of the more physically imposing centers in the league like Joel Embiid. But when Embiid is healthy and really doing his thing, few big centers are able to guard him anyway. The game is so perimeter-oriented now that Okongwu’s quickness is much more of a strength than his size is a liability.

Offensively, he’s a good finished and has a couple of solid, go-to post moves that allow him to score effectively around the basket. He isn’t much of a shooter at this point but if that ever comes around he becomes that much more dangerous. He’s a relatively good ball-handler for his size and position and has a quick first step which should allow him to drive the ball. Okongwu also does the little things that help offenses, like throw good outlet passes and set good screens. He’s a no-brainer, floor-raiser for the Hornets.