In this episode of Locked On Hornets, Walker and Doug dive deep into recent futures rankings for the Eastern Conference—where the Hornets surprisingly land above teams like Miami and Chicago. What’s fueling this optimism? From improved draft positioning to promising management moves, the guys lay out why Charlotte’s future might be brighter than you think.

Then, the conversation takes a sharp turn into the draft as they react to Jonathan Wasserman’s latest Bleacher Reportmock, which sends Duke center Khaman Maluach to the Hornets at #4. Is this déjà vu with Mark Williams all over again? Doug calls it his “worst-case scenario,” while Walker considers the physical tools Maluach brings to the table. Could this pick signal a new direction—or a dangerous repeat of past mistakes?

Finally, they discuss VJ Edgecombe’s growing defensive reputation and whether it's based more on projection than production. Walker grinds the tape and questions whether VJ’s tools match the defensive hype, especially after struggling against teams like Houston and Duke. Doug weighs in with context on youth, coaching, and development systems that could help Edgecombe thrive.

Whether you're team VJ, team trade-back, or just trying to avoid a Maluach meltdown, this episode has something for every Hornets draft watcher.

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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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