The Charlotte Hornets are scheduled to have the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at the Hornets best NBA draft picks in franchise history. This includes the draft picks made by the Charlotte Hornets from 1988-2001, the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004-2013, and again the Charlotte Hornets from 2014 on. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Some of the toughest omissions were Rex Chapman, P.J. Washington, Cody Zeller, and Brandon Miller.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Charlotte Hornets History
10. Cody Martin (36th overall, 2019)
Rather than give this spot to Brandon Miller after just two seasons (and appeared in just 27 contests in 2024-25), let’s reward a second round pick who was a part of their rotation for five-plus years. Prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns in February, Cody Martin averaged 22.3 minutes per outing during his Horners tenure. Three times, he finished with more than one steal per game.
9. Raymond Felton (5th overall, 2005)
Mostly a starter in his five years with the Bobcats, Raymond Felton finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2005-06. Each year with the team, he had averages of at least 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals. Felton is third in team history with 2,573 assists.
8. Kendall Gill (5th overall, 1990)
Named to the All-Rookie First Team in 1990-91, Kendall Gill played just his first three seasons with the Hornets (and part of a fourth in 1995-96). In 1991-92, he had his most productive year with the team averaging 20.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.9 steals. Despite not spending a lengthy amount of time with Charlotte, he is eighth in franchise history with 398 steals.
7. Emeka Okafor (2nd overall, 2004)
Playing five seasons for the Charlotte Bobcats, Emeka Okafor was the 2004-05 Rookie of the Year. The center averaged a double-double in every year with the team to go along with at least 1.7 blocks each season. In 2006-07, Okafor finished tied for 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
6. Jamaal Magloire (19th overall, 2000)
An All-Star in 2003-04, Jamaal Magloire played two seasons for Charlotte and three for the New Orleans Hornets. He was the full-time starting center (when healthy) during his time in New Orleans and averaged a double-double in 2003-04. The Hornets reached the playoffs in his first four seasons with them.
5. LaMelo Ball (3rd overall, 2020)
LaMelo Ball is still just 23 years old, and he can easily move up this list if Ball simply stays healthier. He has appeared in more than 51 outings just once in his five NBA seasons. When on the court, there’s no disputing his talent, as evidenced by his career averages of 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.
4. Baron Davis (3rd overall, 1999)
In his second and third seasons, Baron Davis helped the Horners advance to the second round. In 2001-02, he earned a trip to the All-Star Game. While the New Orleans Hornets history is now included with the Pelicans, Davis led the league in steals for them in 2003-04.
3. Alonzo Mourning (2nd overall, 1992)
While he played just three seasons with the Hornets, Alonzo Mourning made quite the impact. He averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in his time there along with 3.2 blocks. He hit the most memorable game-winning shot in team history during the 1993 NBA Playoffs to allow Charlotte to advance past the Boston Celtics.
2. Larry Johnson (1st overall, 1991)
Known as ‘Grandmama’, Larry Johnson was named Rookie of the Year in 1991-92. Playing five seasons for the Hornets, he made two All-Star teams and an All-NBA Second Team in 1992-93. During his Charlotte tenure, Johnson posted averages of 19.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
1. Kemba Walker (9th overall, 2011)
After a famed career at UConn, Kemba Walker spent his first eight seasons with Charlotte (first three with the Bobcats). The 6-foot point guard averaged more than 20 points the last four of those years and was an All-Star the last three. Walker is the franchise’s all-time leader in points (12,009) and made three-pointers (1,283).
Photo credit: © Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
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