The Hornets stay on track for top draft odds after another loss-filled weekend, while rookie KJ Simpson impresses in back-to-back outings. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg’s standout freshman year ends in March heartbreak, fueling hopes he'll soon call Charlotte home.
On today’s episode of Locked On Hornets, Doug Branson and Walker Mehl break down a busy weekend of hoops, heartbreak, and hopeful glimpses into the future. The Hornets dropped two more games to the Kings and Bulls, keeping them solidly in the race for a top-three pick and a shot at Cooper Flagg. Doug and Walker assess how the remaining games affect their odds and whether a full tank job is finally working out in Charlotte’s favor.
The episode shifts to Flagg’s emotional exit from March Madness, a brutal loss to Houston that marked the end of one of the most electric freshman seasons in Duke history. They recap his stat-stacked season, dissect his final moments, and debate what his potential arrival would mean for the Hornets franchise.
Doug also spotlights second-round rookie KJ Simpson’s recent run of efficient, confident play—and whether it puts him ahead of Nick Smith Jr. in the guard pecking order. Is there a real rotation battle brewing for next season?
Plus, the guys simulate another mock draft and discuss how Rutgers guard Dylan Harper could fit next to LaMelo Ball if the Hornets land the No. 2 pick. It’s a full episode of future-focused takes, development debates, and just enough despair to keep things on-brand.
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