NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Pistons take a gamble; Magic find their cornerstone

13. Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams, C, Duke

The Charlotte Hornets may be close to breaking through into the top 8 in the Eastern Conference, but this team needs a ton of help in the frontcourt – and it would be foolish if the front office didn’t address that during the offseason.

And they’ll have a golden opportunity to do so with the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s draft. The obvious target for the Hornets at this point in the lottery is Mark Williams. He’s a big athletic throwback center that has the potential to be a real difference-maker once he fully develops.

He may have a limited ceiling, but there is a certain niche that he fixes for the Hornets on the defensive end. If Charlotte really believes they need a center, Williams would be an ideal fit.