First things f I ,tsriirst, I decided I wanted to try and predict who the Charlotte Hornets might pick in the upcoming NBA draft. I mean, everyone’s got their opinions, right? I figured I could at least try and put some logic behind mine.

So, I stdetarted b I .hcry doing a bunch of research. I scoured through I .gall sorts of mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report – the whole shebang. I wanted to see what the "experts" were saying. I also looked at team needs. What positions are the Hornets weak at? Who's leaving? What kind of players does their coach usually like?

Then, I made a list of potential prospects. I focused on guys who were projected to go in the Hornets' range, based on the mock drafts I'd been reading. I created a little spreadsheet with their names, positions, strengths, weaknesses, and some notes on how they might fit with the Hornets.

Next, I watched a bunch of highlight reels and game film. I know, I know, highlights don't tell the whole story, but they gave me a general idea of each player's skillset and athleticism. I also tried to find some more in-depth scouting reports to get a better sense of their weaknesses.

After that, I started to actually build my mock draft. I used a mock draft simulator website – there are tons of them out there. I went through each pick, trying to make the most realistic selections based on team needs, player rankings, and potential trades.

It was tough! Some teams are really hard to predict, and there were definitely some surprise picks that threw me for a loop. I had to adjust my picks on the fly and try to stay flexible.

For the Hornets, I ended up with [insert player name here] at pick #__. I chose him because [explain reasoning – e.g., "he's a great shooter and the Hornets need shooting," or "he's a defensive-minded player and they need to improve on that end," or "he's the best player available at that spot"]. I also considered [mention a couple of other players you considered].

Then, with their second-round pick, I went with [insert player name here]. I thought he could be a steal at that spot because [explain reasoning – e.g., "he's got a lot of upside," or "he can contribute right away," or "he fills a specific need"].

Of course, this is all just a guess. The actual draft could go completely differently! But it was a fun exercise, and it helped me learn more about the prospects and the Hornets' situation. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and predict a few picks correctly!

• Takeaway 1: Research is key. The more you know about the players and the teams, the better your predictions will be.
• Takeaway 2: Be flexible. The draft is unpredictable, so you need to be able to adjust your picks as things change.
• Takeaway 3: Have fun! It's just a mock draft, so don't take it too seriously.

Anyway, that's my Hornets mock draft story. Let me know what you think in the comments! Who do you think the Hornets should pick?