2023 NBA Mock Draft: Trail Blazers get future star, Magic surprise at 6
By Tyler Watts
27. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets) grab Maxwell Lewis
The Hornets selected Brandon Miller second overall in this mock draft, but this is their second of five picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Charlotte is not expected to make all of those selections. They will likely try to package 27, 34, 39, and 41 to move up. Can they find the right deal? Multiple teams want to climb the draft board, so it won’t be easy.
If they keep this pick, they should be looking to further upgrade on the wing. Drafting Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson at two means Charlotte views LaMelo Ball as their lead guard of the present and future. They have two young centers that continue to improve, so the Hornets should lock in on wing depth.
Lewis is a fringe first-round prospect that averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 steals in 31.4 minutes per game during his second season at Pepperdine. He shot 35.4 percent from 3-point range over his two seasons of NCAA basketball, and the 20-year-old could quickly become a 3-and-D role player in the NBA.
Maxwell Lewis may not turn into an elite player, but he could be a quality rotation piece for the next decade-plus. The Charlotte Hornets would love to draft that with the 27th pick.