Kon Knueppel has played a grand total of six minutes for the Charlotte Hornets this season. It's been a frustrating development for a player who showcased All-Star potential as a rookie. If there's one silver lining to the Hornets' brutal start to the 2026-27 season, however, it's that the door is wide open for him to prove that he's a franchise player.
For as monumental as that task may be, Knueppel can erase all doubt about his place in the Hornets' hierarchy by revitalizing a dormant offense and stepping into a No. 1 role when healthy.
Charlotte has been the epitome of underwhelming on the offensive end of the floor in 2026-27. It currently ranks dead last in the NBA in offensive rating at just 101.8 points per 100 possessions and has failed to score at least 100 points in a game in half of their 12 games played.
Knueppel's absence has been an unavoidable factor in the Hornets' lackluster play, although it's important to note that injuries have been a factor all around.
Coby White has yet to play more than 20 minutes due to his injury restrictions, Brandon Miller has missed four games and counting, and Dennis Schröder has been absent from five games himself. With four of the top offensive players on the roster—Knueppel included—all limited, the Hornets have inevitably struggled.
The good news for Charlotte is that it can gain a sense of clarity once Knueppel returns to the rotation in regard to whether or not he's a true No. 1 option.
Hornets don't have a clearly-defined No. 1 option at full strength
Knueppel's rookie season stoked the flames of optimism in regard to his ability to be a franchise player. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 three-point field goals made per game while shooting the lights out at a clip of .475/.425/.863.
Already an elite shooter in both volume and efficiency as a rookie, Knueppel may very well be the player around whom Charlotte builds a flourishing offense.
The door is certainly open for him to prove whether or not he's up to the task. Miller will likely have something to say about who the featured scorer should be, but even if it proves to be a co-starring situation, the Hornets will be relying on both to pull their weight for years to come as it is.
A 10-game sample size proves nothing, but Miller shooting 35.6 percent from the field and 26.0 percent from three is still a cause for concern—and yet another example of the door being open for Knueppel to stake his claim to the No. 1 spot.
If Knueppel returns, plays up to the level expected of him, and saves Charlotte from the depths of despair on offense, his status as the franchise player will be tough to dispute. That could go a long way toward shaping his future with the Hornets, both in terms of the way he's utilized and how much he ultimately gets paid to re-sign.
The Hornets clearly need more than just one player to save their season, but opportunity will be knocking once Knueppel returns to the court.
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