The Hornets are one of six NBA teams with two first-round picks in the 2026 NBA draft. The team controls the final lottery pick (No. 14 overall) and has another selection a few spots later (No. 18).
Since he was named head of basketball operations two years ago, Jeff Peterson drafted Tidjane Salaun (No. 6 overall) and KJ Simpson (No. 42) in 2024 and Kon Knueppel (No. 4), Sion James (No. 33) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34) in 2025.
Peterson also acquired a fourth selection — Liam McNeeley (29th overall) — from Phoenix last year as part of the Mark Williams trade. The Suns still owe the Hornets a 2029 first-rounder as part of that deal, though it includes least favorable language (Charlotte also send Phoenix a 2029 second-round pick).
The Hornets have 12 players on guaranteed contracts for next season, with Coby White being their main free agent. Peterson has said the team wants to retain the high-scoring combo guard. If Charlotte re-signs White and keeps both first-rounders, it would be at the regular season limit of 15 players on standard deals.
Whether the Hornets actually keep both picks is an open question. Teams with multiple selections — particularly two first-round picks — are often cited as clubs that might be interested in moving up or trading for a future first-round pick. Packaging them in an aggressive win-now move is another possibility.
Peterson spoke glowingly about the 2026 class at his end-of-season press conference in April.
“I’m very excited about this draft,” Peterson said. “It’s if not the deepest, one of the deepest that I’ve ever been a part of. A lot of good players all over the draft, of course. But again, where we are from an asset standpoint, it’s going to allow us to be flexible. So whether that means we bring two players in, consolidate, we’ll have different options that we’ll continue to explore and look at.
“But I’m excited for whoever we bring in because I know that it’s going to be someone who is a Hornet, and about what we’re about and at some point will contribute to what we are building here.”
While Charlotte had a poor start to last season and extended the longest active drought in the NBA by missing the playoffs for the 10th straight year, there are reasons for optimism going forward. The Hornets ended 2025/26 on a 33-15 run and have a promising young core. They have a chance to add two more young players to that mix in a few weeks.
Some talent evaluators have several guards and forwards ranked in the middle of the first round. For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had Charlotte selecting Mexican forward Karim Lopez with the 14th pick and German big man Hannes Steinbach at No. 18 in his latest mock draft, though that was in mid-May. Jake Fischer reported on Friday that the Hornets are looking for a center upgrade, with Mitchell Robinson a potential target.
We want to know what you think. Will the Hornets stand pat and keep both of their first-round picks? If so, which prospects do you think they should target? If not, do you think they’ll try to package the picks to move up or perhaps make a more aggressive win-now trade? Head to the comment section to weigh in.
I definitely think they’ll take a PF from Steinbach, Lendeborg or Morez Johnson.
Lendeborg will probably go earlier than their 14th pick but if available I’d look into him. He is older at almost 24 but can shoot the 3 comfortably. Not the best rebounding but always gets a steal or block.
Steinbach is almost 7 foot, only just turned 20 years old, not as good defensively, can shoot the deep ball but not much volume but very good rebounding.
Johnson more likely to be taken 18th than 14th. 6’10 and 250lb, really good NBA ready frame who had a fantastic combine showcasing his athleticism. Only 20 years old and in college was more of a 20 minutes per night kid so that stats aren’t as impressive but still was good across the board.
I’d honestly like it if they made some kinda splashly move. Give up pick 14 and some random contract for a solid role player. You have Green, Williams and Mann who are all kinda expendable.
Then at 18 take Johnson as a back up to Bridges.
Maybe Grant Williams and 14 for Cam Johnson and 26 or something like that.
LaMelo Kon Miller Bridges Diabate
White James C.Johnson M.Johnson Kalk