I just want to point this out. Right before this your post started with “as far as choosing representation, he’s 18. Enough said.”
So here’s my point, on one hand you hand waive his poor decision making for being an 18 year old. Which I also understand. I’ve been 18 before.
But then you followed it with a presumption that a poor decision making 18 year old will then turn around and make the right decisions after drafted? And have the right attitude as well.
I’m not saying that’s impossible, but i don’t want to risk yet another charlotte draft failure on it. When there’s several guys there available at pick 4
Philly drafts Ace and then flips him to the highest bidder between DC and Brooklyn. I’ve seen reports that those two teams (not SA, Dallas, Philly or Charlotte) can accommodate Ace w the nearly unlimited playing time that he wants.
It’s only rational for Philly to exploit Ace to their maximum ability since his agent played all the wrong cards. Plus from Philly’s position they can get draft capital (Maluach?) and an immediate impact player to help Paul and Joel.
That leave us without a trade partner or Ace but we are still in a good position.
My presumption is that Ace loves basketball, he has elite talent at it, he wants to make as much money as he can playing it and his representation wants him to make as much money as he can playing it because that’s both of their paths to making the most money possible. I see no benefit for him or his representation to “decide” they’re going to do something to sabatoge his on court performance when at the least his earning potential is tied to that. I think that’s the far more reasonable presumption and I’d be willing to risk that presumption being wrong opposed to missing out on what I view as an extraordinary talent.
At 18 years old I would imagine the decision he made about representation was heavily influenced by his parents or someone he trusted and yes those same influences may remain in his life and influence future decisions but if that is the worst choice we can point to and there’s no evidence of off court behavioral issues, I’m not holding that against him.
If we trade down, I don’t want to move below 6th, I’m still hoping VJ would drop to us at four. Unless it is a great haul I would prefer we just stay at four. I have been turned off by Ace, but I still wouldn’t be unhappy if we take him. I mean how bad does it sound to play him at 3 and Brandon at 2? I’m not sure if I’m sold on us taking Kon ahead of Tre if it goes that way. I guess last year’s draft just has me spooked with what we may do.
As long as we don’t take the Duke center I’m good. I really hope we stick with Nurkic this year and try to find veteran big guys going forward.
It seems like it takes young bigs a couple of years to get settled and we need some type of structure to evaluate these guards and wings. Everyone can’t be a baby at the same time here.
On May 23rd steelmatic posted a video of Tre working out for the Hornets on this very thread! There have been multiple reports about VJ’s interview w the Hornets.
Could it be that Barlowe is just repeating Charlotte social media hate and calling it “content”? Yeah that is what I am thinking. Why would we bother asking Coop to workout? The fact that he mentioned Coop shows questionable credibility.
DRAFT NIGHT RUMOR MILL: Hornets Cooking Up a Big One?
Multiple sources are saying the Charlotte Hornets are considering a major draft night move:
Select Ace Bailey at No. 4 Then trade him AND Mark Williams to the Brooklyn Nets for:
Nic Claxton Brooklyn’s 2025 1st-round pick Two future 1st-rounders
This would be a massive shakeup — swapping out a potential superstar wing and a rising rim protector for a more established big man and a haul of picks.
It’s not finalized yet — but it’s very much in play according to insiders.
Charlotte may be reloading with draft capital while handing the reins to LaMelo and Brandon Miller — and adding a defensive beast in Claxton to anchor the paint.
What do y’all think — bold master plan or giving up too much?
I really feel like there’s a drop off after the VJ/Ace/Tre/Kon tier we’ve kind of resigned ourselves to for a bit.
But I wouldn’t complain with that trade as long as we get their #8. That’s a good haul. But it is getting to a point where it’s like how many picks do we actually need.
But this could align with the reporting that the team likes Jaku, and they’re comfortable moving down because they know he will be there.
Man if this actually happens, I will ship a large Shaq-a-roni pizza directly to your front door! Because that would mean that I should have studied all of your trade scenarios as if they were prep for an algebra test.
By the way why are you sooooooooooo heck bent on trading Josh Green? I really think that Josh’s feelings would be hurt if saw any of your trades!
I just want to add, despite Ace not being on my draft list-if he is our selection at 4 I’m not going to be upset by it. I absolutely understand the talent and potential.
For the last 1-2 years I’ve been wanting more “adults” in the hornets locker room. Doesn’t need to be vets, as our team needs to develop young talent. I just want humble young players that are more mature and personally developed. I just feel like our locker room needs more mature players. We need to develop a culture. Coach Lee wants that.
Look at the Thunder. All of those guys keep their heads down and to themselves. Jalen Williams in particular talks and responds to the media like he’s been in the league for 10 years.
My concern is: Does Ace help build that culture I just talked about? Bringing in an 18 year old who refuses to work out for teams and his having his reps say they’re charging for interviews. And trying to force his way into being drafted where he wants.
Amen. Have been dreading this potential for a month or so now. I just cannot understand why Maluach is ranked so highly. He should be rated into the teens. I have him between 14-18 on my board.
Here’s the summary:
-averaged 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game at Duke his only year.
-only averaged 21 minutes per game
-played so little because he doesn’t have the conditioning to play more.
-has only played basketball for 5 years, so he has no skill base built up.
-despite his size and length, only averaged 1.3 blocks
-for context, Ryan kalkbrenner averaged 3.1 blocks last season and played 34 minutes per game. And he’s going in the early 2nd round.
But Kalkbrenner is 4 years older. I just cannot understand the Maluach stuff. There’s some annoying nba draft podcaster who keeps pushing Maluach to Charlotte at pick 4.
All this is largely why I want Kon. Get him onto this team. I don’t think he’s a franchise savior but I do think he’s a valuable piece on a winning team. I’m sick of players that simply act like they don’t care when shit gets tough.
DRAFT NIGHT RUMOR MILL: Hornets Cooking Up a Big One? 
Select Ace Bailey at No. 4
Then trade him AND Mark Williams to the Brooklyn Nets for:
Nic Claxton
It’s not finalized yet — but it’s very much in play according to insiders.
