I like the picks. They seem like solid reliable players. Even if their ceiling is 3rd- 6th type of players on the team, Iād rather the āsure thingā than another project.weāll see. Anything the hornets draft ends up being poo poo anyways so what makes this different I guess. Butā¦ I like it today.
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From San Vecenie of The Athletic :
Winners
Charlotte Hornets
Some will raise their eyebrows at the Hornets selecting Kon Knueppel at No. 4. Indeed, there was some chatter from sources across the league ahead of the draft that GM Jeff Peterson and company looked to potentially slide down to pick up additional assets and still acquire their targeted player in Knueppel. In the end, Charlotte likely couldnāt have been sure that Knueppel would be available, so they just decided to take him at No. 4. And I love the pick.
Knueppel was my No. 3 player in this class largely because he doesnāt have any holes, and he can step in right away to create a positive impact. Heās an elite shooter, a teenager who drilled 41 percent from 3 and 91 percent from the line as a freshman this year. He has far more game on the ball than people think, as heās an excellent pick-and-roll player as a secondary creator, a tough driver who finishes well off two feet, and a sharp passer who throws lobs at a high level. Heās an underrated defender because of his strength and his engagement on that end. He always works hard, and heās excellent at feeding his man into where he knows the help is from his teammates.
In todayās NBA, the defenders who tend to struggle are those without strength who get beaten in straight lines because they arenāt strong enough to hold their own line on defense. Knueppel isnāt necessarily going to be a positive NBA defender, but I think heāll be a neutral one. The upside here is similar to what Desmond Bane has been for the Memphis Grizzlies, and he just got dealt to Orlando for four first-round picks.
Charlotte also executed the Mark Williams deal that it tried with the Los Angeles Lakers this past deadline, getting the No. 29 pick and a future 2031 first-rounder from the Phoenix Suns (more on them later). That deal is a big win for the Hornets, in my opinion. Williams is a productive player when heās on the court, and he averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds this season. But heās not an effective defensive player and hasnāt grown in that respect over the last couple of years. He often gets caught in no-manās land in ball screens, and he struggles to guard in space. The Hornets were going to have a difficult decision this summer since Williams is extension-eligible as he enters the fourth year of his rookie-scale deal.
With that 29th pick, Charlotte selected Liam McNeeley, who slipped down the board and was the final player remaining in the green room. He was expected to go somewhere in the No. 15 to 21 range. McNeeley had a tough year at Connecticut, as he was thrust into a role that wasnāt ideal for him. He had to play more on the ball than he should have, and he also injured his ankle midseason. Heās a real shooter despite his 31.7 percent mark from 3, as many of those shots were contested and occurred after his ankle injury. Heās also remarkably competitive and works hard at his craft. I bet that he figures out how to mitigate his shortcomings, like his lack of footspeed, and turns into a rotation player.
What these two picks showcased to me was that the Hornets are trying to move into a different era under Peterson, new ownership and coach Charles Lee. The team hasnāt always played the most competitive basketball. Its defensive engagement has generally been lacking in the LaMelo Ball era. But in Knueppel and McNeeley, Charlotte took two players who will compete and fight. Theyāre teenagers, yes. But they carry themselves as adults and are serious-minded. Getting more of those players in the room will help Charlotte take the next step.
The Spurs, Hornets, Wizards and Hawks were among the winners on Wednesday, while the Nets' moves were a head-scratcher.
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Normmm
June 26, 2025, 2:58pm
1051
You dont even have to go past the former Duke players to make a comparison. Redick, Grayson Allen, Luke Kernardā¦
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With the Hornets getting their starting SG and his backup yesterday, would think bigs will be the priority tonight with picks 33 and 34.
I like his enthusiasm, even if he is about to rupture a blood vessel.
In todays NBA you have to have shooters. He can fill it up, just doesnāt need to be a liability on D which I donāt think he will. I like the pick
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Whatās odds hornets select 4 white dudes? If they select the creighton center that would be 3
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Gassman
June 26, 2025, 10:21pm
1056
In a vacuum both are good picks. I just donāt like two aspects of it.
They are essentially the same player type so they did not bring in skill and positional diversity with their two first round picks.
I donāt see Kon as being able to play good enough defense to be a high level player. I worry that our backline is going to be a sieve on defense next year. I hope Iām wrong.
Gassman
June 26, 2025, 10:23pm
1057
I hope they can get Kalkbrenner or however you say it. They need a big.
Not sure if heās the best available.
I would have loved to get the kid from Penn State that got drafted with the last first round pick.
run49er
June 27, 2025, 12:33am
1058
run49er
June 27, 2025, 12:35am
1059
Was hoping Rasheer Fleming would still be available but the Saint Josephās PF was taken 31st by the Suns.
run49er
June 27, 2025, 12:38am
1060
Overall happy with our draft. I wish we had gone with a different player than Kon (in case I didnāt make it clear, lol) for a higher upside pick but whatever.
I also sort of donāt follow the Sion pick
Thatās three wings.
Not that I donāt like James. I think he could be really good. He seems to be built for the NBA. If he can adjust to the speed of the game he could be VERY valuable cause heās a good defender and built like a Mack truck. (My mind goes to Lou Dort here).
I suppose they are taking multiple bites at the apple for the most important position in the NBA now.
My gut tells me they are going to trade someone(s) out though.
Do we have the money to go get Tyus Jones for backup PG?
ninerJ
June 27, 2025, 8:33pm
1066
I predict Gassman will be in love with Nipple by Christmas !
Thereās really not 1,2,3 &4 in nba anymore. You could damn classify 3 or 4 guys on the court at anytime as a wing
Gassman
June 27, 2025, 11:07pm
1068
There is so much I could do on this response but I donāt work blue!
I hope youāre right!
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