CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets will presumably make a first-round selection Thursday night, not knowing if that player will be Kemba Walker's teammate weeks later.
Walker's free agency could complicate things for the Hornets on draft night, but not in the eyes of GM Mitch Kupchak.
"Certainly we're going to think about the what ifs," Kupchak said. "But once again, hopefully we'll be in a position to pick the best player."
If Walker leaves the Hornets they would be in immediate need for a point guard, but most mock drafts has Charlotte selecting a forward or center, to help with rim protection defensively, and to execute the pick-and-roll offensively.
Walker has been adamant he wants to remain a Hornet, but is reportedly being pursued by several teams in free agency, including the Lakers, who now have LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
"We're not exactly sure what our needs are at this time," said Kupchak. "It's hard to say what our needs our. I'm hoping when it comes time to the draft that it will be a clear-cut decision that we will take the best player."
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