The Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel, a standout from Duke University, as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft held Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This addition aims to strengthen a Hornets squad that has struggled for consistency amid back-to-back losing seasons.
Knueppel expressed confidence about his ability to contribute immediately with the Hornets, especially alongside key players like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He believes his shooting and off-ball movement fit well with the team’s core.
Knueppel Sees His Role as a Consistent Floor-Spacer for Charlotte
In an era where versatile shooters are vital, Knueppel brings strong perimeter shooting that could help open up the Hornets’ offense. Charlotte’s scoring lagged last season, ranking last in the league with 106.7 points per 100 possessions. Their poor three-point shooting percentage, 33.9 percent (28th in the NBA), also highlighted the need for better shooting.
Knueppel’s 40.6 percent three-point shooting mark at Duke indicates he could fill that gap effectively. His ability to move without the ball and create spacing is expected to generate more scoring opportunities for teammates like LaMelo Ball, who handles the ball frequently during games.
Knueppel Embraces Challenge and Mentions LeBron James Ahead of Rookie Year
The Milwaukee native welcomed the challenge of integrating into an NBA roster with talented guards. After the draft, he said,
“I feel really confident about my ability to play with any group of guys on the floor and be an effective player with guys like LaMelo [Ball], who has the ball in his hands a lot, and talented guys like Brandon Miller, Being able to play off the ball with them and be effective, especially as a movement shooter spacing the floor. I think that’ll be a good fit.”
—Kon Knueppel
Anticipated Impact of Knueppel on Hornets’ Future Success
Knueppel’s addition signals Charlotte’s intent to develop a more dynamic offense capable of improving their previous season’s challenges. His sharpshooting and movement can offer LaMelo Ball and the Hornets a reliable weapon beyond the arc, potentially elevating the team’s offensive performance in the near term.
As the Hornets continue building around Ball and Miller, Knueppel’s shooting should help stretch defenses and create easier scoring chances, setting a hopeful direction for the franchise’s upcoming seasons.