By noballer07 & 808Hornetsfan

The Hornets literally hit the jackpot in the ‘05 Draft when PG Chris Paul was passed up by three teams before landing in the Hornets nest. It was an obvious choice for GM Allen Bristow then, and Paul has been worth the pick thus far in his career. The problem the Hornets now face is finding the next rookie who can work side-by-side with Paul in leading the team to the postseason. Of course, that will be difficult to accomplish seeing is how the Hornets are not picking fourth overall, but 13th overall. There are plenty of options, but it is still uncertain on what the team will do with their first round selection, so we’re going to do our best in determining what will happen on Thursday night.

We do know that there are at least five players on the Hornets draft board that will likely be selected at #13, but it’s always hard to predict which one of those players is the favorite among the best. These are the five that will be looked at constantly throughout the next 24 hours or so:

SG Nick Young, USC

SF Julian Wright, Kansas

PG Acie Law, Texas A&M

SF Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech

G/F Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt

It’s safe to say the Hornets will be looking for a guard/wing in the first round. All five of these players would make a big contribution next season, but the hardest question is which one fits the best? We’ve answered that, along with who the team should take with both of their picks…

First Round (13th overall)

noballer07:

SG Nick Young- If this guy is there, take him. There have been reports that Byron Scott was not entirely pleased with Young’s defense at the workout on the 25th, but at this point the team has no choice. The best 2-guard on the board in Corey Brewer will probably be long gone, and so will Julian Wright, a wing player who could develop into an all-around talent. Nick Young is probably the best player they’ll be able to get in this draft in order to fill the shooting guard position for the team. Let’s just hope that he isn’t the next J.R. Smith.

Alternative:
G/F Derrick Byars- If in any event Nick Young isn’t available or Scott ends up not wanting to develop another shooting guard prospect, they can trade down and take Derrick Byars, who is probably the second most NBA-ready 2-guard in this draft. Scott has also commented that he would like a player that can play shooting guard and small forward and Byars has the versatility and NBA-body to do both.

808Hornetsfan:

SF Thaddeus Young- His numbers may not be that impressive, but he has the versatility to be a starting SF in the NBA. He has a nice shooting touch, he can rebound, he can defend in the paint against opposing forwards, and he’s one of, if not the most athletic player in the draft. Coach Scott will not pass him up if he’s there at #13, Young’s workouts made sure of that. The only question that Thaddeus must answer in the future is can he be more of a threat offensively if he does start?

Alternative:
G Nick Young- Either way, the Hornets will draft a Young with the 13th pick, unless somehow both of these guys are taken before the Hornets are up. Young can step in immediately for the team and score some points, but his defense will have to improve if he’s going to play the 2. With Peja Stojakovic returning this season, Coach Scott will want a more balanced attack on both sides, but the team will struggle if both Young and Peja are beat defensively every night.

Second Round (43rd overall)

noballer07:

PG Taurean Green- Who knows if Scott was impressed by this guy, but he may as well be available at 43. We need a 3rd option at the point guard right now seeing that Bobby Jackson is almost a guarantee to miss 20 or more games a season at this stage of his career and Chris Paul needs the load taken off of him in order to tone down on some of his own injuries. Green needs work running an offense but being the third point guard on a team with a very young talent leading the show at the 1 takes all of the pressure off.

Alternatives:
SF Reyshawn Terry- The 6-7 forward has experience, plays good defense, and has an NBA-ready frame. Although being a 4-year player, he still has a good bit of potential in him.

SF Dominic McGuire- This guy is not a bad player; he’s quite an athlete and plays solid defense. Could be a nice replacement for Desmond Mason.

PF Glen Davis- A no-brainer for a lot of people since he plays just up the river from New Orleans. He wouldn’t fill a need, but if he falls to our hands it would be quite interesting to see how he would fit in.

808Hornetsfan:

F Demetris Nichols- One of the most improved players the last two seasons, Nichols has stepped up his game and can really create a spark off the bench for the Hornets. His FG% have increased in each of his four seasons at Syracuse, and he averaged 18 and 5 a game this past season. He has great post moves in the paint, and his defense is among the best at his position. With a few seasons of experience, Nichols could a perfect weapon off the bench, and can certainly fill in for someone when the injury bug comes around.

Alternative:
F Glen Davis- Not many forwards that are Big Baby’s size can average 17, 10 and 2 a game. Not to mention, Davis has been known to hit some three-pointers. It is a development project to take him, but like noballer said, he’s a hometown boy who fit in perfectly. And who knows, maybe he becomes the steal of the draft and is a future starter in New Orleans?

There is no telling of what can happen on draft night, but we hope we’re pretty close in predicting what’s going to unfold. After a month of workouts and scouting, we hope Coach Scott and the gang can make the right decisions with their two picks, the city of New Orleans will be watching very move they make.

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