Hornets' two-best NBA Draft picks never played a single game for Charlotte

There have been two NBA MVPs drafted by the Hornets in their franchise's history.

The problem? Neither ever played a game for the Hornets.

First, in 1996, the Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant out of high school.

Then, in 2018, they picked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named the newest NBA MVP earlier this week.

Trades ended both of those tenures quickly.

Kobe was traded on draft night after the Hornets took him 13th overall. Bryant wound up spending his entire 20-season NBA career with the Lakers and won five championships. 

SGA was taken 11th overall by the Hornets in 2013. They chose to send him to the Clippers for two picks and 12th-selection Miles Bridges.

The Hornets' mishandling of key situations clearly has their fanbase under a strong feeling that they're setting up for another failure right now. Who will they fail with? It remains to be seen.

But if Charlotte makes a draft-night trade this year, keep an eye on that outgoing talent, He might wind up as a pretty strong NBA player somewhere else.

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