After being selected 11th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, James Bouknight is expected to be a part of the Charlotte Hornets' young core moving forward.
Sharing a backcourt with one of the game's best young point guards, LaMelo Ball, puts pressure on Bouknight to come in and play high-level basketball. Of course, the Hornets would not have selected Bouknight if they did not think he can live up to his draft stock.
James Bouknight has the potential to be one of the best scorers in his draft class, if not the best. He will have all the opportunities in Charlotte to reach his full potential with the system coach Borrego runs. Hornets fans should expect a lot of this young man.
Nonetheless, here are three bold predictions for James Bouknight entering his first season with the Charlotte Hornets.
Leads all rookies in scoring
Despite his low shooting percentages at UConn, Bouknight has the potential to be a very efficient scorer in the NBA. Fortunately for Bouknight, playing with a pass-first player like LaMelo will allow him to find easy shots on the perimeter while moving off the ball.
It is also possible that he will be out there with two point guards if Terry Rozier is still in the starting lineup. In turn, all Bouknight would have to do is come in do is hit open shots. Even if he does not start, he will have the chance to run the second unit with Miles Bridges and the other young promising pieces. James Bouknight can be a threat on or off the ball and he has a good chance to get touches throughout the season.
Rising Stars Game
A mid-season goal for a lot of these rookies should be to crack the roster for the Rising Stars Game during the All-Star break. The Hornets have been represented pretty well the past few years, with Ball, Bridges, and PJ Washington all playing in the game in the past.
James Bouknight can very well find himself there come February. If he can to produce a little over than 15 points per game, it will be easy for him to slide right in. Second-year players will find themselves in this game as well, so making the roster could be a little tough. Still, James will produce as soon as he plays his first few NBA games.
All-Rookie First Team
The 2021 NBA Draft class seems to be pretty stacked, but James Bouknight could earn this accolade by the end of the season as well. He may not be the number one scoring option on the team, but he can find himself being the possible third option by the end of the season. With that being said, he will do nothing but continue to add things to his game. He will become a better playmaker, defender, rebounder, and much more.
The Hornets have the right people around him for him to compete in practice and improve daily. Despite Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green potentially taking up the other two spots, it seems like a reasonable goal for Bouknight.
All three predictions are pretty obtainable. As long as he is willing to learn from the coaching staff and the veterans on the team. The future looks bright for Charlotte and Bouknight could be a vital piece for the team's success moving forward.
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