More of the same: Charlotte Hornets are unlucky yet again in the NBA Draft Lottery

Not even Brandon Miller could change the Charlotte Hornets’ fortunes, and the dreaded streak continues.

Armed with a 13.3% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick and hoping to get some luck from Miller on the dais, the Hornets didn’t claim the top prize in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday at McCormick Place. Instead, the Hornets will select sixth overall in the league’s annual draft on June 26-27 in New York — the first time it’s scheduled over two days.

Atlanta won the lottery and will select first followed by Washington, Houston, San Antonio and Detroit. The Hawks had a 3% chance to claim the top spot, which was only ahead of Golden State (0.7%), Sacramento (0.8%), Houston’s second first-round pick (1.5%) — which was conveyed to Oklahoma City — and Chicago (2.0%).

“In this process, I don’t think anything is a surprise, just because you never know what can go on here,” Miller said. “I think the main thing here is to always be focused, prepared just for anything because it can go the wrong way. It can go the bad way.”

Dropping from third to sixth was a shock to the Hornets’ system. Charlotte was seeking its first lottery win since 1991, when the Hornets grabbed Larry Johnson. Although they’ve come close now twice within the past five years, selecting LaMelo Ball at No 3 overall in 2020 and Miller second behind Victor Wembanyama a year ago, that ultimate prize and ability to choose the best prospect in the draft class remains elusive — despite picking up a pre-lottery win last month.

After claiming the league’s random tiebreaker over the Trail Blazers, the Hornets boasted third-best odds behind the 14% of Detroit and Washington, and ahead of Portland’s 13.2%. But nothing could change Charlotte’s luck, not even having co-owner Rick Schnall in the drawing room viewing the proceedings for the first time since taking a larger stake in the franchise in August.

Miller’s presence couldn’t spur the Hornets atop the draft board, either. And he didn’t bring any trinkets along that might’ve helped his cause.

“No luck,” he said, “I just came with the usual people. Brian Travis (of Hornets media relations), Mark Temple (with team security), my parents. I think that’s the regular crew. But it is what it is. We are excited to meet the young group coming in. Just ready to get to work.”

The Observer was also one of 12 media outlets granted exclusive access to witness the drawing. The actual process was conducted an hour before the results aired live on television, and NBA security ensured no one on the outside of the room was aware of the draft order before NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum unveiled it in front of a global television audience.

Plenty of disappointment engulfed the ballroom when Atlanta’s four-ball combination came up, including from Schnall. One small consolation: At least this year, the Hornets aren’t missing out on a wunderkind.

Once again, early indications suggest a big Frenchman will be No. 1 pick, and that’s where the comparisons end. Wembanyama, named the NBA’s rookie of the year last week, was billed as a can’t-miss prospect and Alex Sarr appears to be more of a gamble.

Sarr stands 7-foot-1 and is drawing early comparisons to Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac and Dallas’ Dereck Lively. He has a wingspan of nearly 7-5 and enjoys facing up and shooting from the perimeter.

But he could be off the board when the Hornets, who also hold the 42nd overall pick, are on the clock. Other possibilities for Charlotte outside of Sarr could include Connecticut’s Stephon Castle, Ron Holland of the G League Ignite, France’s Zaccharie Risacher and Serbia’s Nikola Topic.

Some of the top players in the draft class attended the festivities, sitting in the area Miller found himself in a year ago. But now he’s already transformed into one of the main faces of the franchise, finishing third in the rookie of the year voting behind Wembanyama and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren. The transition was a rapid one.

“Definitely fast,” Miller said. “It definitely felt like yesterday I was here, in the same seats that the upcoming draft prospects are in. So, I think that’s just a blessing, just being here.”

He even had some unsolicited advice.

“One thing I will say to the prospects is have fun while you can,” Miller said. When you get to 82 games, that’s a long season.”