The most intriguing storyline of the 2023 NBA Draft has pretty easily been what the story is on the No. 2 overall pick.
For so long, it seemed like Scoot Henderson was a lock to go behind Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 overall pick. He’s got lots of talent and athleticism at point guard. He doesn’t dunk on people — he dunks through them. In a regular draft, it feels like he’d probably have gone No. 1 overall.
But as we’ve gotten closer and closer to the draft, it’s felt more likely that Brandon Miller will end up in Charlotte as the No. 2 pick. Almost every mock on the internet — including our own — has Miller going No. 2.
And, now, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is saying the Hornets are preparing to take Miller at 2.
Late on Tuesday night, Woj reported that Miller impressed the Hornets in a second workout and the team thinks he’ll be a better fit next to LaMelo Ball than Henderson.
The Hornets are preparing to select Brandon Miller at No. 2 overall, per @wojespn:
– Miller impressed Michael Jordan and Co. during his second private workout yesterday.
– Charlotte prefers Miller’s fit alongside LaMelo Ball over Scoot Henderson. pic.twitter.com/P3dsnpCl2P
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 21, 2023
While it definitely seems like Miller to Charlotte is almost a done deal at this point, I wouldn’t lock the pick in just yet. Everything we get just a day or so ahead of the NBA draft should be taken with a grain of salt.
We were in this same spot last year with the No. 1 overall pick. Remember when Adrian Wojnarowski reported that it was “increasingly firm” that Jabari Smith would go to the Magic at No. 1?
As team boards finalize today, the 1-2-3 of the NBA Draft is increasingly firm, per sources: Jabari Smith to Orlando, Chet Holmgren to Oklahoma City and Paolo Banchero to Houston.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2022
We see how that worked out. The Magic shocked everyone with their Paolo Banchero pick and ended up with the Rookie of the Year.
So, yeah, Miller might be a Charlotte Hornet. But don’t be shocked if this is just yet another smokescreen coming for the second year in a row.
