NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Full first-round predictions a week before the lottery

NBA Mock Draft 11th Pick: Charlotte Hornets

One of the constants in the league in recent years is the Charlotte Hornets’ subpar play from the center position. As a result of an undermanned rotation and injuries, the Buzz City simply hasn’t gotten much from their big men since, well, Al Jefferson.

At his best, Alperen Sengun is a throwback, back to the basket center armed with a deep collection of moves and great footwork to score in the post. He’s not nearly a Jokic or even a Sabonis, but his understanding of the court and how to get to his spots is top-notch. His mid-range game and potential as a stretch five makes him a viable pick and pop option, though it still needs a lot of work.

Cozy Zeller and Bismack Biyombo isn’t a pairing that will make any noise against the likes of Joel Embiid. Both are ideal bench players, and giving them exhaustive minutes is a miscalculation. Next to LaMelo Ball, Sengun should have loads of chances to make his presence known as a frontcourt partner, though all of these lie on his ability to reach his potential as a high-risk, high-reward prospect.