Hornets Dream of Winning Now and Hitting Lottery Jackpot

Charlotte Hornets fans are no longer focused on the NBA Draft, but on making the playoffs.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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For the first time in years, Charlotte Hornets fans are not thinking about the NBA Draft and keeping track of results around the league for lottery purposes. The scoreboard watching has shifted to seeing how those in the Southeast Division or the Eastern Conference are doing, as it impacts the Hornets' chances of making the play-in and/or the playoffs. The Hornets could continue to play well down the stretch, learn how to play in meaningful games, get a taste of the postseason, and get incredibly lucky on the night of the lottery, potentially landing a top-2 pick and selecting a player like Duke's Cameron Boozer or BYU's AJ Dybantsa.

Why it matters

This would be a major shift for the Hornets, who have typically been focused on the NBA Draft and improving their lottery odds in recent years. Landing a top prospect like Boozer or Dybantsa could help accelerate the Hornets' rebuild and make them a contender in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

The details

In a recent Tankathon simulation, the Hornets jumped ten spots to secure the No. 2 overall pick and select Duke's Cameron Boozer, who currently leads the ACC in points per game (22.8) and rebounds (9.9). The Hornets could also consider BYU's AJ Dybantsa, who is highly athletic and can score from all three levels. Landing either player could spell the end for Miles Bridges in Charlotte, as the Hornets would likely want to slide Boozer or Dybantsa into the starting lineup.

  • The NBA Draft Lottery is held in May each year.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A highly talented player from Duke University who currently leads the ACC in points per game (22.8) and rebounds (9.9).

AJ Dybantsa

A highly athletic player from BYU who can score from all three levels and is currently shooting 53% from the field and 35% from three-point range.

Miles Bridges

A current member of the Charlotte Hornets roster who may be traded if the team lands a top prospect like Boozer or Dybantsa.

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard of the Charlotte Hornets who would be a key part of the team's core moving forward.

Kon Knueppel

A young player on the Charlotte Hornets roster who would be part of the team's core moving forward.

Brandon Miller

A young player on the Charlotte Hornets roster who would be part of the team's core moving forward.

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What they’re saying

“What if the Hornets continued to play well down the stretch, learn how to play in meaningful games, got a taste of the postseason, and got incredibly lucky on the night of the lottery?”

— Schuyler Callihan, Author (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held in May, where the Hornets will find out if they have landed a top-2 pick and the chance to select a player like Cameron Boozer or AJ Dybantsa.

The takeaway

The Hornets' potential lottery luck could be a game-changer, allowing them to accelerate their rebuild and become a contender in the Eastern Conference for years to come. This would mark a significant shift from the team's recent focus on the NBA Draft and improving their lottery odds.