NBA: 7 bold predictions for the 2022 draft night

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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NBA Draft
NBA Draft prospect Jalen Duren (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

The Charlotte Hornets will trade up for a big

Heading into the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets are equipped with the 13th and 15th pick. With one glaring need, I think there’s a good chance they package those two picks to trade up for a big. While they don’t have the ammunition to trade up for Chet Holmgren, they could target Jalen Duren (depending on how the board falls).

If Duren is available around the 9-10 picks, that could be the sweep spot for the Hornets to try and make a move. I’m not sure if packaging the 13 and 15 picks will be enough to move up to 9 or 10, but they have other pieces they could throw into a package as well.

The Hornets need a big and there will be an opportunity for the Hornets to snag one if the board falls the right way.