(Fans ask, “What about today?”)

In 1970, the Temptations released a song that would be the anthem of the Charlotte Hornets in this draft.

“WAR…Huh…Good God Ya’ll.  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!”

Charlotte drafted what they hope will be a continually competitive team in a couple of years.  It could be very exciting…or…not.  We’ll see.

The Hornets kicked off the draft picking Elly De La Cruz at number 19.  Coming back around, they took Zac Gallen, Patrick Bailey and Bryce Miller…staying with the under 30 crowd.  Then, they grabbed their first uncarded player – Jared Jones (future ace).  After adding Ceddanne Rafaela, the Hornets felt they had a nucleus.

2024 Charlotte Hornets

When all was said and done, the roster looked like this:

SPs – Gallen, Miller, Jones (Minors), Matt Manning, Bryan Woo, Kyle Harrison, Tink Hence (Minors) and Hurston Waldrup (Minors)

C – Bailey and Tyler Stephenson

1B – Michael Busch (but Dominic Smith will stand over there this year)

2B – Josh Rojas for now

3B – Hmmm…we’ll see, De La Cruz for this year

SS – Baez until Elly moves over

OF – Rafaela, Hays, Abreu, Benintendi and Rojas (though, not all of them at the same time)

DH – Xavier Isaac – although for this season it will be the best hitter not playing a defensive position if he has enough at bats available.

Bullpen – There will be guys out there to come in and finish games but let’s be real…they didn’t really address this need.

All in all, in addition to the Temptations’ Vietnam protest song, the Hornets will spend most of this season singing the song of the Loser Bird…”Wait til next year.”