Hornets 2026 – Charlotte’s 2026 NBA Draft grades read like a franchise pivot. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are gone, and the Hornets’ picks—led by Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 and Christian Anderson Jr at No. 18—aim to build a new core around Brandon Miller and future flexibi
The Charlotte Hornets walked into the 2026 NBA Draft looking like a team turning a corner under head coach Charles Lee. A few weeks earlier. the signs had been real: LaMelo Ball looked rejuvenated and healthy. Brandon Miller was emerging as a bright young star. and Charlotte had surged into the postseason conversation.
Then draft night arrived, and the franchise did something that changed how everything else gets judged. By the end of the night and the days that followed. Charlotte had traded away both LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges—shutting the door on the faces of the organization for much of the last six seasons. In their place: a younger, more flexible roster built around Miller, Naz Reid, and an abundance of future draft capital.
For the Hornets, this class isn’t about topping up a playoff run anymore. It’s about laying the foundation for an entirely new era.
No. 14: Hannes Steinbach, Washington (Grade: A)
Charlotte’s first-round decision at No. 14 landed on Hannes Steinbach, a 6-foot-10 big man coming off a dominant collegiate season. He averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor.
Numbers aside, the fit reads as purposeful. Steinbach plays with a relentless motor and embraces physicality. He also brings an advanced feel for the game as a passer and facilitator. Charlotte isn’t just getting a traditional back-to-the-basket center. Steinbach can initiate offense from the elbows, make quick reads, and operate as a connective piece in a movement-heavy system.
Before the Ball and Bridges trades, Steinbach could have looked like a luxury pick—useful, but not essential. After Charlotte changed course, he became more foundational. Pairing him with Naz Reid creates an intriguing frontcourt tandem. and Steinbach’s rebounding and interior presence directly address one of last season’s most glaring weaknesses.
For a team rebuilding, the selection stands out as an especially strong one.
No. 18: Christian Anderson Jr, Texas Tech (Grade: A-)
Charlotte’s second-half draft pick at No. 18 went to Christian Anderson Jr, a dynamic combo guard from Texas Tech. With Ball gone. the Hornets’ needs shift quickly: more playmaking. more ball-handling. and more creation that can take pressure off the franchise’s new priorities.
Anderson’s production offers a clear case for why Charlotte targeted him. He averaged 18.5 points and 7.4 assists while shooting better than 40 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also one of the best pure shooters in the class. Beyond that, Anderson is described as an advanced pick-and-roll operator who consistently makes the right reads.
Offensively, his versatility is a big part of his appeal. Anderson can function as a lead initiator. play off another creator. or serve as an instant offense option for the second unit. With the Hornets no longer able to rely on LaMelo Ball to generate quality looks for everyone else. the expectation is that Anderson can keep the offense organized and prevent too much burden from landing on Brandon Miller’s shoulders.
There are still questions. Pundits doubt Anderson’s defensive upside and whether he can consistently create separation against NBA athletes. Even so, the value at No. 18 is difficult to dispute, and the pick could end up being one of the draft’s biggest steals.
Where the grades land: Overall team grade and the real shift
The Hornets’ blockbuster trades are the reason these grades land where they do. Steinbach isn’t merely a backup big or complementary piece anymore; he’s positioned as a long-term building block alongside Naz Reid and Brandon Miller. Anderson’s value changes in the same way. because Charlotte now needs additional creators and playmakers after moving on from LaMelo Ball.
Seen through a rebuilding lens, the draft becomes significantly more impressive. Charlotte acquired two players who fit the new timeline and can grow together with Miller over the next several seasons.
And it wasn’t just what happened during the draft. Charlotte also accumulated draft capital in the Ball and Bridges deals. Add that to Steinbach and Anderson, and the Hornets have quietly positioned themselves as one of the NBA’s most intriguing rebuilding teams entering the 2026-27 season.
This summer, the Hornets said goodbye to an era. On the draft floor and beyond it, they started finding the cornerstones of what comes next.
Charlotte Hornets 2026 NBA Draft Hannes Steinbach Christian Anderson Jr Brandon Miller Naz Reid LaMelo Ball Miles Bridges draft grades