Charlotte Hornets 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, our Charlotte Hornets Mock Draft Roundup will highlight recent picks for the Charlotte Hornets from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Hornets:
4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
V.J. Edgecombe is an exciting two-way prospect who can contribute on both ends of the floor. He would join Tari Eason, Matisse Thybulle, and Gary Payton II as the only high-major NCAA men's basketball players since 2009 to record both a steal percentage above 4.5 percent and block percentage 3.5 percent, per Bart Torvik. As a scorer, meanwhile, Edgecombe and Flagg are currently the only high-major freshmen with both 15 dunks and 3-pointers each so far this season.
4. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
It took him a few weeks to adapt to college basketball, but he's been playing at a very high level since the end of November. Jakucionis has backcourt size, skill, craft, a knack for operating out of ball screens, and on- and off-ball versatility. His high turnover rate is a bit of a concern, while scouts are still evaluating how well his defensive footspeed will translate.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman
4. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Consistency has been an issue for VJ Edgecombe, but 100th percentile athleticism and clear shotmaking ability will keep scouts patient.
He's made multiple threes in five of six games. Despite lacking in the creation department, he's adding value with his ball-moving (3.2 assists), while a 4.8 steal percentage puts him on a short list of special defensive playmakers.
The biggest concern may be Edgecombe's struggles finishing below the rim, where he's made just 44.7 percent of his layups.
He's made multiple threes in five of six games. Despite lacking in the creation department, he's adding value with his ball-moving (3.2 assists), while a 4.8 steal percentage puts him on a short list of special defensive playmakers.
The biggest concern may be Edgecombe's struggles finishing below the rim, where he's made just 44.7 percent of his layups.
4. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Jakučionis has been among the most impressive players in the country this season, and more importantly, he's been getting better throughout the season. He's averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting an incredibly efficient 49.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from 3 and 87 percent from the line. However, over his last nine games, he's averaging 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from 3 and 89.8 percent from the line. Most impressively, that stretch has come against the strongest portion of Illinois' schedule so far, including games against Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Oregon, Northwestern, Washington and Missouri. Illinois has played a top-30 schedule in the country, per KenPom. It will only get tougher, too, as the Illini play a monster Big Ten schedule plus a showcase game against Duke in February.
Jakučionis is a crafty, creative ballhandler who dominates the ball and consistently creates open shots for both himself and his teammates. He's a maestro out of ball screens, sees the court pristinely in transition and consistently knocks down shots both off the catch and off pull-ups. The turnover rate is quite high, a product of not being a monster athlete and playing in tight quarters. He turns it over nearly four times per game and will need to get that under control. But I had Jakučionis in the top six in the preseason, and he's exceeded every expectation while a large portion of prospects have struggled. I have him at No. 3 on my board ahead of Bailey, and I think he has the look of a terrific long-term NBA player who can thrive on or off the ball and potentially develop into a highly skilled primary creator if given time to iron out the tightness of his handle.
Jakučionis is a crafty, creative ballhandler who dominates the ball and consistently creates open shots for both himself and his teammates. He's a maestro out of ball screens, sees the court pristinely in transition and consistently knocks down shots both off the catch and off pull-ups. The turnover rate is quite high, a product of not being a monster athlete and playing in tight quarters. He turns it over nearly four times per game and will need to get that under control. But I had Jakučionis in the top six in the preseason, and he's exceeded every expectation while a large portion of prospects have struggled. I have him at No. 3 on my board ahead of Bailey, and I think he has the look of a terrific long-term NBA player who can thrive on or off the ball and potentially develop into a highly skilled primary creator if given time to iron out the tightness of his handle.
5. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Having won two games since Nov. 22, the Hornets appear headed toward another high draft pick. Despite the presence of LaMelo Ball, Jakucionis' size, feel for the game and ability to play on or off the ball will be attractive to any team selecting in this range.
The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian is playing fantastic basketball, controlling games with outstanding pace as a scorer and passer, getting to spots on the floor and playing through contact or finishing skillfully around the basket while making high-level pick-and-roll reads and hitting 3-pointers off the dribble.
The 18-year-old has made significant strides physically over the past 18 months and is on an impressive trajectory, making the transition from Europe to college look easy. He has been showcasing his talent on one of the best teams in college basketball. -- Givony
The 6-foot-6 Lithuanian is playing fantastic basketball, controlling games with outstanding pace as a scorer and passer, getting to spots on the floor and playing through contact or finishing skillfully around the basket while making high-level pick-and-roll reads and hitting 3-pointers off the dribble.
The 18-year-old has made significant strides physically over the past 18 months and is on an impressive trajectory, making the transition from Europe to college look easy. He has been showcasing his talent on one of the best teams in college basketball. -- Givony
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
The 6-10 Bailey can play any position on the floor and makes some very difficult shots look incredibly easy, averaging 19 points and eight rebounds per game. It's a skill to be a tough shotmaker, and Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell has told me multiple times that Bailey is the most unique prospect he's ever coached because of the amount of upside he possesses and the amount of "wow" plays he can make. That's still too hard for me to pass on at No. 3 in this draft.