The Charlotte Hornets don’t actually have loads to hold their hat on not too long ago. They’ve been rebuilding for just a few seasons now, but it surely appears like for the primary time shortly they’ve a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel.
The Hornets chosen Kon Knueppel with the fourth choose this previous draft. Charlotte desperately wanted one other versatile guard to play subsequent to LaMelo Ball, and Knueppel performed each on and off the ball at Duke.
Due to his versatility, Knueppel is the right match for immediately’s NBA. Nonetheless, his greatest ability is what’s going to enable him to have an extended NBA profession.
Knueppel has mastered the artwork of sharpshooting
Knueppel’s taking pictures was on full show throughout his lone 12 months at Duke. He shot 41 p.c on 5 makes an attempt. It is a ability that Charlotte was missing of their backcourt, as Ball was their solely true perimeter guard risk. Knueppel has modified the Hornets’ offense due to the truth that his flooring spacing has translated in an elite means.
Knueppel is averaging almost 19 factors per sport and taking pictures 48 p.c from the sphere and 42 p.c from three-point vary. His full offensive bag has been on show. He already has 9 video games of 20 or extra factors, 13 video games of a minimum of three three-pointers made, and solely 4 video games of taking pictures decrease than 30 p.c from past the arc.
Knueppel’s presence has significantly improved Charlotte’s workforce taking pictures as nicely. After rating twenty eighth in three-point proportion final 12 months, they now rank twenty first. They had been 18th in makes final season, and now they’re eighth. The ground spacing has improved the Hornets’ total offense, as they’ve gone from twenty eighth in offensive score final 12 months to 18th this season.
Knueppel has confirmed he’s the important thing to the Hornets’ rebuild
Charlotte has grown accustomed to the underside of the East. They haven’t made the playoffs in a decade, have solely received greater than 40 video games twice within the final decade, and have received 40 mixed video games within the final two seasons.
Whereas the Hornets doubtless received’t make the playoffs this season, their future appears brighter due to the addition of Knueppel. His taking pictures has already modified their offense considerably, and his total offensive skill is simply going to proceed to develop.
Knueppel was a part of a stacked draft class, but when he retains this up, he’ll make his case as one of many extra impactful gamers from his draft 12 months.
