The Charlotte Hornets kept it simple in this year's draft and took Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick. The team has been high on the Duke University product for weeks now, and with the best prospects available already taken, it took a swing at an NBA-ready swingman who can contribute immediately in an area where Charlotte struggled heavily: on offense. However, the defense is where it gets shaky because Knueppel has not yet proven capable of being a solid defender on or off the ball.
A lot is hinging on the Hornets' decision in this draft. It's not that they need a savior, but bringing in a game-changing talent can definitely help them a great deal after going 19-63 in the 2024-25 season and extending their hold on the title of the team with the active longest playoff drought.
Some have attributed Charlotte's struggles to injuries. After all, its best players took turns spending time on the sidelines, with LaMelo Ball playing just 47 games and Mark Williams suiting up in three fewer contests. Interestingly, the two played the highest number of matches they have done in the past three years.
Brandon Miller also had to sit out more than he would have wanted after appearing in 74 games in his rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Miles Bridges took to the court just 64 times, although it looked like he actually played more.
Hornets go the safe route in this year's draft
So, many fans are hoping that the Hornets' choice to pick Knueppel will pan out well.
The outstanding marksman is one of the best perimeter shooters of his draft class, having drawn comparisons to the likes of Cameron Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic. He can shoot lights out from the 3-point land and midrange and has exhibited craft playmaking that should help the Hornets.
Hopefully, the front office has a plan to address Knueppel's defensive deficiencies. Otherwise, the 19-year-old probably won't crack Charlotte's starting lineup immediately, as his addition can result in a porous defense. Perhaps he can find a way to improve on that end of the floor as soon as possible.
Expect the squad to be active in the trade market and free agency, especially because running it back with a pretty similar roster to that of the 2024-25 campaign with just minor additions, such as the rookie's arrival, probably isn't the best idea. It doesn't need to be blockbuster changes, but bringing in serviceable players this time around can put the Hornets on the winning path.
Still, the Hornets faithful might want to practice patience with Knueppel because it's normal for plenty of prospects to need some time before adjusting to the speed of the NBA game. Hopefully, he won't have to feel too much pressure and will be able to reach his potential and help the franchise rise out of the bottom of the league soon.