NBA Mock Draft 4.0: What if the New Orleans Pelicans Make the Playoffs?
New Orleans Pelicans: Mock Draft Pick #8
170. Power Forward. 8. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Charlotte Hornets. Obi Toppin
There is finally a route out of purgatory for the Charlotte Hornets, as they have some young talent in Devonte’ Graham, PJ Washington and Miles Bridges.
The Hornets could use a center, but the position is weak in this draft, so they would likely go with a big here and Toppin could be a steal at number eight.
Toppin can run the floor and stretch it as well, as he shot 39 percent from behind the arc for Dayton.
He’s also athletic, can defend multiple positions and may end up being the guy a lot of teams regret passing on in this draft.
The Hornets’ salary cap situation is one of the worst in the NBA, as they still have Nicolas Batum locked up for another year at $27.1 million and Terry Rozier for two more years that will cost them $18.9 and $17.9 million a year respectively.
If the Hornets can somehow find a taker for Rozier, they could have an interesting young team.
The Charlotte Hornets have been stuck in 9th seed purgatory forever. Toppin would give them a solid piece to build around and would represent one of the safest picks in a draft full of risks.