The Charlotte Hornets enter the 2025-26 campaign hoping to end a nine-year streak of missing the playoffs after a lackluster 2024-25 season.
The Hornets finished 14th in the Eastern Conference last season with a 19-63 record, marking their worst win total since the Bobcats era. Adding to their struggles, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller combined to play just 74 regular-season games.
Following Charlotte's lackluster season, the team landed the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and selected Duke swingman Kon Knueppel. The 20-year-old impressed in his lone collegiate campaign, during which he averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game, shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc in 39 appearances.
MORE: Hornets' Kon Knueppel draws praise from ex-Duke teammate Cooper Flagg
NBA analyst favors Ace Bailey over Kon Knueppel
Even before the 2025 rookie class has seen regular-season action, one NBA analyst is questioning the Hornets’ draft choice. Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz put together a re-draft of the class, giving Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey the edge over Knueppel.
“Kon Knueppel should have a fine pro career as a starting wing, although his upside has never come close to that of Ace Bailey's,” he wrote. “The Charlotte Hornets shouldn't be afraid to pass on Knueppel for Bailey this time around, even if the former is the better fit for this roster as constructed. Given this is the 10-year anniversary of the Hornets’ last trip to the playoffs, however, talent accumulation should still be priority No. 1.”
Preseason results should be taken with a grain of salt, though Bailey has already shown why he was seen as a potential top-three pick ahead of the draft. In three preseason appearances, he averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 58.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range in 26.8 minutes per game.
Both forwards are expected to take on significant roles in their rookie seasons. Knueppel will look to prove he was the right choice as the Hornets aim for a bounce-back season.
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