The Charlotte Hornets have been searching for answers for years now. Although they have developed some talented players, the Hornets just can't seem to put everything together. For a franchise that has not reached the postseason since 2016, however, it seems as if things are beginning to trend in the right direction. A big reason for the optimism centers around the 2025 NBA Draft.
Hornets' 2025 NBA Draft
Charlotte selected Kon Knueppel out of Duke with the fourth overall pick in the draft. It was a surprising selection, as Knueppel was not expected to be selected until a few picks later in the draft. Charlotte clearly had interest in him, though, and the team made the move. Knueppel's ceiling may not be as high as other top five draft picks such as Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, but his floor is fairly high and he could become an All-Star in the future.
Knueppel is already making a significant impact on the offensive end of the floor. He's a guy who can find the bottom of the net from deep and is developing chemistry with his new teammates on the Hornets.
Knueppel was joined by Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Liam McNeeley in the 2025 NBA Draft as Hornets selections.
Kalkbrenner could be the long-term answer at center. He is already receiving big minutes while starting as a rookie. Charlotte is giving him a tremendous opportunity.
James is not starting consistently, but he is averaging around 20 minutes per outing off the bench. He can impact the game on both sides of the ball, giving Charlotte balance.
McNeeley has not received many opportunities up to this point. Still, he is a player with an intriguing ceiling who could earn more minutes in the not-so-distant future.
It is too early to officially declare the 2025 NBA Draft a success for the Hornets. The early results are encouraging, however. At the very least, Charlotte has multiple players who are instantly impacting the team in a big way. If everything goes according to plan, then the four rookies will become part of the long-term vision as Charlotte builds the roster around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
It may require a couple of seasons before the Hornets emerge as a true contender, but their outlook is suddenly promising following years of serious uncertainty. The 2025 NBA Draft is playing a huge role in that new outlook.