The Charlotte Hornets may still be searching for wins, but internally, something far more valuable is taking shape. Amid a season disrupted by injuries and uneven results, Charlotteâs rookie class has quietly become one of the leagueâs most productive. And at the center of that surge is Kon Knueppel, a first-year guard who has moved from promising shooter to potential franchise pillar faster than anyone anticipated.
Knueppel has emerged as the early favorite for Rookie of the Year, anchoring a group that has delivered consistent impact despite limited continuity. Sion James has carved out meaningful defensive minutes on the perimeter. Ryan Kalkbrenner has stabilized the paint as a rim deterrent and efficient interior finisher. Liam McNeeley, though slower to crack the rotation, has become a dependable bench spacer, knocking down better than 40 percent of his three-point attempts. Collectively, the class has forced Charlotte to reassess its long-term hierarchy.
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Hornets now view Knueppel as the face of the franchise. Thatâs a notable shift for an organization that, until recently, was firmly built around LaMelo Ball. The original vision was clear: Ball as the engine, Brandon Miller as the secondary scorer who bends defenses, and Knueppel as the connector, the spacer who keeps the system humming.
Kon Knueppelâs Role Has Expanded Faster Than Planned
So far in 2025, that structure has begun to bend. Ball has faced mounting criticism for his shot selection, defensive engagement, and availability. Meanwhile, Knueppel has steadily exceeded expectations on both ends of the floor. Draft concerns about his defense and on-ball limitations have faded as his role has expanded. Heâs not just finishing plays, heâs starting them.
Over his last two games, Knueppel poured in 62 points, following a 33-point performance with 29 more in a road win against Cleveland. Those numbers werenât empty volume. They reflected how often Charlotte trusted him to control possessions late, read coverages, and make decisions with the ball in his hands.
That usage is not accidental. As Yahoo Sports NBA analyst Kevin OâConnor recently explained, âWeâre seeing what the Charlotte Hornets are doing with Kon Knueppel this season. The Klay Thompson comparison, I get it because of the shooting and all that, but Kon Knueppel is averaging more pick-and-rolls per game than Klay did in his entire career.â
The takeaway isnât stylistic. Itâs philosophical. Charlotte isnât treating Knueppel like a specialist. Itâs treating him like a hub.
OâConnor went even further later in the discussion, half-joking but pointed nonetheless: âHe was just on Jimmy Fallon the other night, bye-bye LaMelo. Goodbye. Kon Knueppel is the star now.â
The line drew laughs, but the underlying point matters. Stars arenât defined solely by box scores. Theyâre defined by how often the offense runs through them, how much trust theyâre given, and how quickly an organization leans into their presence. Right now, Charlotte is leaning into Knueppel.
Why Charlotteâs Franchise Timeline May Be Shifting
Statistically, the production supports the shift. Knueppel is averaging 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, numbers that place him among the most impactful rookies in the league and, increasingly, among the Hornetsâ most reliable players regardless of age.
None of this signals an immediate departure from LaMelo Ball. The front office still believes a core built around Ball, Brandon Miller, and Knueppel can work. But the internal balance is clearly evolving. With Ballâs injuries and shooting struggles lingering into 2025, the idea of Knueppel as a centerpiece rather than a complementary piece no longer feels speculative.
Charlotte returns to action Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks. The wins may still come slowly. But the direction is becoming clearer and the Hornets appear to know exactly who their next era might belong to.
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