Thunderous Intentions
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2017 NBA Draft- Annual Editor’s Mock Draft

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2017; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) celebrates with guard Grayson Allen (3) after hitting the go-ahead 3-point shot in the final 7 seconds against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) celebrates with guard Grayson Allen (3) after hitting the go-ahead 3-point shot in the final 7 seconds against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Luke Kennard. 11. player. 170. . Shooting Guard. Duke

Team Needs:

Shooting, rebounding (particularly on the offensive glass), defense and energy.

Free Agents:

  • Brian Roberts – UFA
  • Ramon Sessions – UFA
  • Christian Wood – UFA

Roster Gaps:

Scoring, 2-way players, energy players with high motors. The Hornets ranked 27th in steals, a category where they could recognize immediate dividends via easy fast-break scoring. While the Hornets performed at the mid-level for most categories, they ranked among the better perimeter squads. Their bigs space the floor but don’t help enough on defense or at the glass.

Luke Kennard:

As for Luke Kennard in TI’s draft prospect preview his skills were highlighted as:

"Kennard is arguably the best pure shooter in this year’s class, with only Malik Monk and maybe Lauri Markkanen in the same stratosphere. The sophomore finished his second season at Duke shooting 49% from the field, 43.8% from deep and 86% from the stripe. He even finished 2nd in the ACC in points per game at 19.5. Kennard scored over 34 points three times this season, and finished with double-digit points in 35 out of 37 games. Simply put, Kennard’s business is scoring, and business in the NCAA was good. His jump shot is absolutely his best asset. As Kennard decided to make the leap to the NBA, however, he showed flashes of a much improved all-around game this past season. He’s capable of coming off screens as well as spotting up, and he isn’t afraid to drive to the paint where he can finish with a decent array of floaters. Kennard showed no fear in the big moments and came up big in the clutch for Duke:"

Overview:

Who would have guessed the loss of Jeremy Lin and Al Jefferson would have such a profound effect on the Hornets? Or Cody Zeller’s appearance would become the deciding factor in games. Yet, that was exactly what transpired last season.

One of the better 2-way teams suddenly was relegated to lottery territory.  The move to reunite Dwight Howard with Steve Clifford will hopefully address part of this equation. Yet clearly additional tweaks need to be made. Kemba Walker needs a reliable backup and one who ideally can provide combo guard minutes alongside the All-Star for portions of the game.

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