The Charlotte Hornets were able to acquire the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for taking Mason Plumlee off their hands. Mitch Kupchak and company used that pick to select JT Thor out of Auburn. The 6’10” forward was considered by many as a fringe first round pick, so getting him with the 37th pick seemed like tremendous value. Thor proved that to be the case and flashed some intriguing upside in limited minutes as a rookie.
Thor was a young rookie, turning 19 less than two months before the start of the season.