NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Final first-round predictions before the draft

NBA Mock Draft 11th Pick: Charlotte Hornets – Kai Jones

A recurring theme among Charlotte’s circles for quite some time is the team’s dearth of starter-level talent in the center position. Since Al Jefferson peaked in 2014, the Hornets have been manned in the middle by players who low on-court impact (Dwight Howard) and by journeymen who are more suited for bench duty (Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo).

That being said, there’s no other way to go in the draft than selecting a big man who can run in tandem with star LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, especially with Zeller and Biyombo both entering free agency.

Texas’ Kai Jones, who should be very available at 11th, could be the man for the job. Charlotte’s open floor style on offense fits him perfectly, especially with his athleticism and mobility on defense. His thunderous dunks, as well as his improved perimeter shot, makes him the ideal big man for the Hornets.