NBA Draft Lottery: Where do Chicago Bulls rank in terms of needing Zion?

By Luke Askew | May 14, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during a press conference after being awarded the AP Player of the Year award prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

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(Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. Charlotte Hornets

Lottery odds: 1.0%

The poor, poor Charlotte Hornets. They’ve been mired in mediocrity for years, and it seems like the only way out is to get lucky in some way, shape or form. It probably won’t be at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. I mean, a 1.0% chance is nothing to bank on. But hey, until their name is called, there’s still hope!

The Hornets are stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Should they offer Kemba Walker (a.k.a. their only All-Star-caliber player) a max contract this summer or should they let him walk? If they let him walk, they’re committing to a full rebuild that will likely take years to complete. But if they ink him to a big-time contract, they could be paying a 29-year-old point guard over $44 million per year for five years (depending on whether or not Walker makes an All-NBA team this season).

To put it simply, the Hornets are in trouble. That’s why they need Zion Williamson more than almost any other team. If Charlotte re-signs Kemba, Zion would fit nicely with him (plus, Zion would be on a rookie contract), and if they don’t re-sign Kemba, they can jump-start their rebuild with one of the best prospects in NBA history.

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