Fast-Track Development: Why the Hornets Must Play Their 2025 Draft Pick More in the Regular Season
Ever since drafting him with the fourth overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, Kon Knueppel has been nothing but fantastic for the Hornets. The Duke sharpshooter came into the NBA with his quick, sharp release and high basketball IQ. These skills were put on display in the Summer League when he led the Hornets to an undefeated record and a Summer League Championship in Sin City. Now, through two preseason games, the Hornets' 2025 draft pick has picked up where he left off and is showing Hornets brass that he is more deserving to play more than the 23 minutes he is averaging in the preseason. The NBA Preseason is a time where teams determine who makes their roster and what potential lineups look like before the regular season tips off later this month. For the Charlotte Hornets, who have a plethora of guards to sort out who gets the majority of the minutes, the rookie from Duke should figure prominently into the rotation this season.
Through two preseason games, Knueppel has been impressive so far. In the first game against the Thunder, the sharpshooter scored 18 points on six-of-13 shooting and shot 40 percent from long range. In the second game against OKC, he struggled from the field, scoring only eight points. Still, he made up for it by demonstrating his ability to contribute beyond scoring, grabbing rebounds, making hustle plays, and getting his teammates involved. His offensive game is why he got drafted, but his defensive game is not that bad either. Knueppel is not the best defender in the world, but his defense in the two games against the defending champs was noteworthy. He held his own when guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game, but overall, his defense needs a lot of work when it comes to guarding smaller players who are faster than him and can get by him easily.
Ultimately, Knueppel has a higher ceiling as an offensive player and has shown throughout the summer and currently in the fall that he can be a contributor in the Hornets' rotation once the season begins. Throughout two preseason games, he has shown an understanding of the offense and is a long-range shooter who has consistently knocked down three-point shots. Even though the team has a bunch of guards on the roster, Knueppel stands out as the guard who should get more minutes due to his skill set, which translates to the modern game today. If developed properly, Knueppel would be a bright spot for the Hornets this season, whether he is inserted into the starting lineup or if he comes off the bench.
