The Charlotte Hornets could have a breakout year in the 2026-27 season after making a jump in the 2025-26 season. They improved from a 19-63 record to 44-38 and reached the Play-In Tournament. Charlotte has established a core of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and other young pieces to build on. The Hornets could also use the 14th and 18th overall picks to add to their roster this offseason. In Bleacher Report's recent mock draft, they have Charlotte selecting forward Morez Johnson Jr with the 14th overall pick. Johnson Jr could fill a need at forward for the Hornets after a great sophomore season at Michigan. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three. LaMelo Ball had a good season, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Kon Knueppel is also one of the top offensive options, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his rookie campaign. Brandon Miller played well in his third season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game. With these three offensive scorers, the Hornets can run a lineup with Johnson Jr's defense while he continues to develop his offensive game. The Hornets' young core is exciting, and the addition of Johnson Jr could make them a playoff contender. Johnson Jr's defense is a great asset, and he could grow alongside Ball, Knueppel, and Miller. The Hornets' future looks bright, and they could make some noise in the NBA next season. And with the 14th and 18th overall picks, they have the opportunity to add more talent to their roster. The NBA mock draft has the Hornets selecting Johnson Jr, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in with the team. The Hornets' fans are excited about the upcoming season, and the addition of Johnson Jr could be a great move. But the team still has a lot of work to do to become a top contender in the NBA. So the Hornets will look to build on their success from last season and make a deep run in the playoffs.