The Charlotte Hornets haven’t seen a plethora of success over the past decade.
They’ve eclipsed 40 wins simply twice in that span, doing so within the Kemba Walker-led 2014-15 season, and 2021-22 once they noticed a wholesome streak. Since then, they’ve received simply 67 video games throughout three seasons, seeing high picks on the NBA Draft following every of these.
The group has taken totally different paths on the draft in recent times. They grabbed Brandon Miller at No. 2 in 2023 — an important no-brainer on the wing subsequent to star guard LaMelo Ball with dimension, taking pictures skill and protection. The next yr they gambled but once more on positional dimension and flexibility, taking a venture choose in jumbo ahead Tidjane Salaun.
On the 2025 draft nonetheless, the group appears to have taken considerably of a heel-turn, opting towards pure dimension and upside in favor of outcomes and really feel for the sport.
At No. 4 the group gambled on Duke wing Kon Knueppel, a sharpshooter with essential on-ball expertise. Close to the top of the primary spherical they took Liam McNeeley, a big-bodied ahead who noticed a topsy-turvy yr with UConn, however nonetheless initiatives to be a wise connector on offense. With two seconds, they once more opted for confirmed faculty affect in Duke wing Sion James and Creighton large Ryan Kalkbrenner.
And Summer time League has confirmed the group’s technique may work out.
Apart from a sluggish debut, Knueppel has starred in two later video games, going for a double-double with 16 factors in his second contest, earlier than main the group in each scoring and passing in Sport 3. McNeeley has been seemingly one of the best rookie in Summer time League, relative to the place he was drafted, wanting like a steal with 22 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in his debut, and continued stable play after.
Each Kalkbrenner and James have not seen statistically blistering Summer time League stints, however actually venture so as to add expertise the group wants.
There’s little likelihood all 4 picks work out for Charlotte, however it appears their 2025 technique is about to infuse the group with expertise in a roundabout way or one other for the forseeable future. Be it in positively impactful function gamers, and even ancillary stars down the road.
