{"id":741341,"date":"2026-05-22T20:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/741341\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:36:27","slug":"hornets-should-consider-this-salivating-pick-despite-injury-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/741341\/","title":{"rendered":"Hornets Should Consider This \u2018Salivating\u2019 Pick, Despite Injury History"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Charlotte Hornets<\/a> are coming up on the 2026 NBA<\/a> draft, and lucky for them and the rest of the franchises, it\u2019s a rich one.<\/p>\n

Now, the team is being linked to a player who has some injury issues but could also be a \u201csalivating\u201d selection.<\/p>\n

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In a mock unleashed on Wednesday, May 20, Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports lays out<\/a> his picks after the Combine. \u201cBeyond the measurements and testing, the conversations behind the scenes provide an illuminating look at where some of the top NBA Draft prospects are trending,\u201d he states in the piece.<\/p>\n

For the Hornets, he has them going with center Jayden Quaintance<\/a> out of Kentucky.<\/p>\n

More sports news:\u00a0Bulls Linked to Surprise Draft Move Nobody Saw Coming<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Jayden<\/p>\n

Jayden Quaintance #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena on January 07, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cQuaintance comes with serious injury baggage, but the idea of what he could become is salivating,\u201d he states. \u201cThe 6-foot-9 big man owns a go-go gadget, 7-5 wingspan. He was one of the special defensive big men in college basketball as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State. It\u2019s silly how many jumpers that Quaintance could not only contest but also just outright swat away. He just moves \u2026 differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

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My Take: Jayden Quaintance is Worth the Risk<\/p>\n

More sports news:\u00a0LeBron James Needs to Come Back to the Lakers Next Season \u2014 Here\u2019s Why<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, Quaintance has \u201cbaggage\u201d and injury history. But, what player doesn\u2019t? There comes a point in any player\u2019s career when they\u2019ll have to bounce back from injury. What he offers outweighs the risk: a player who can help Charlotte\u2019s frontcourt and offer something strong to pair with Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/a> and Moussa Diabate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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