After two preseason games, it has become clearer that Kon Knueppel is ready to play heavy minutes for the Charlotte Hornets. He probably even deserves to suit up more than 27.8 minutes per game, which is what Josh Green averaged last season.
Intriguingly, the Hornets already need to establish sufficient playing time for LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, and Collin Sexton at the guard and wing positions. So, if the coaching staff believes that Knueppel should also figure prominently in the rotation, it may have to bench Green more often than it did in his first year in Charlotte. It wouldn't even be surprising to see the veteran out of the picture altogether.
It's not as if Green would be missed that much anyway. While he does have the tools to become a solid 3-and-D guy in the league, he has not panned out well for the Hive. He did convert 39.1 percent of his 3-pointers last year, but he was pretty inefficient everywhere else on the court. Moreover, the Australian swingman's defense has not been as good as advertised. And without the ability to consistently and effectively guard opposing premier wings, he just isn't that valuable to the Hornets.
Besides, the team may have no choice but to start the regular season without Green in the rotation, as he is still recuperating from the left shoulder surgery he underwent this offseason. His recovery appears to be taking a long time, and it's probably safe to expect that he will not be 100 percent ready when the Hornets host the Brooklyn Nets to open the regular season later this month.
Kon Knueppel has been impressive so far
As for Knueppel, he has proven that he is prepared to be an immediate contributor for Charlotte. After a terrific Summer League stint that saw him help the squad win the championship in Las Vegas, he has been a steady presence for the Hornets in their first two preseason matches, both against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The former Duke University standout stole the headlines and led his club in scoring in the preseason opener, putting up 18 points on 6-13 shooting from the field and 4-10 from long distance. He couldn't replicate his scoring performance on Thursday, as he had a rough shooting night. However, he compensated for it by making an impact on other facets of the game, including rebounding and playmaking.
Furthermore, Knueppel's defense on both nights was noteworthy. He will never be the most athletic defender, but he has demonstrated a high enough IQ that he likely won't be a blackhole on that end of the floor. The 20-year-old was even able to hold his own against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at some point in the second quarter on Thursday.
Knueppel probably has a lower ceiling on defense than Green. However, the latter has not done anything to prove that the Hornets should allot him more minutes than they would give their prized rookie once the regular season begins. On offense, there's no question that Kon is more capable of helping the team.