Charlotte Hornets, with the second overall pick, control the 2023 NBA Draft

Scoot Henderson

The talent is obvious. The man can ball. Being compared to Russel Westbrook and a healthy John Wall is good company. His ball handling is a strength and his ability to explode past his defender. He played for the G League Ignite for two seasons, so he has “professional” experience. Going against grown men and bucking the college route, his skills have progressed anyway. Scoot is a man’s man although he is only 6-foot-2.

The obvious concern is the fit alongside LaMelo Ball. As the roster stands now, they do have Terry Rozier who can handle and a plethora of young guys who haven’t been hits in the draft. But if Rozier is starting who is his backcourt partner? The Hornets had Dennis Smith Jr. who is now a free agent, and their latest lottery pick in James Bouknight who didn’t see much run with the Big Leagues. Do you see what I’m getting at? While this may seem like a “luxury” pick, the talent makes it impossible to draft anyone else.

I understand the positional need for a forward, have the oft-injured Gordon Hayward starting isn’t ideal. He made more sense with Kemba Walker’s crew than he does with LaMelo’s. Is there such a thing as too many ball handlers? The rest of the league would disagree. This wave of having ball moves versus shot makers is leaning toward the movers, not the shakers. A potential lineup of Ball, Henderson, even Rozier, somebody, and Mark Williams manning the middle could be a dangerous lineup.

But, if Scoot doesn’t live up to the hype or Ball requests out (which could very well happen), the Hornets have another decision to make. If they draft Scoot, they have LaMelo’s replacement on the team already. If they do work out together, the Queen City has a dynamic duo in the backcourt.