The Charlotte Hornets are finally getting an extended look at their young core - LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel - sharing the floor. And offensively, the trio is delivering exactly what the front office envisioned: dynamic scoring, shot-making, and a level of chemistry that gives fans something to believe in. But while the offense is humming, the other end of the floor is where the real story lies - and it's not a pretty one.
In Monday’s shootout against the Cleveland Cavaliers, all three of Charlotte’s young stars showed out. Ball led the way with 23 points on 50% shooting in just 24 minutes.
Miller and Knueppel each added 20, both hitting better than half their shots while staying under the 31-minute mark. The numbers were solid.
The shot selection looked confident. And the offensive rhythm was undeniable.
But the Hornets still lost, 139-132 - and it wasn’t really that close.
The final score was fluffed up by a late push from the bench unit, but the game was largely decided by Charlotte’s inability to get stops. Cleveland’s backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 57 points and drilled 11 threes, slicing through the Hornets' perimeter defense with ease.
To make matters worse, De’Andre Hunter came off the bench and poured in 27, including four more triples. When three different perimeter players torch your defense like that, it’s not a one-off.
It’s a trend.
The Defensive Dilemma
Right now, Charlotte’s core is long on offensive potential and short on defensive answers. That’s not uncommon for a team built around young talent, but it’s a challenge the organization has to address if it wants to take the next step.
Knueppel, to his credit, has shown flashes as a team defender. He competes, rotates, and generally looks like he wants to get stops - which, for a rookie, is a good place to start. He’s not locking down anyone just yet, but the effort and instincts are there.
Miller is a bit more of a question mark. He has the physical tools to be a high-level two-way player - length, mobility, and a solid frame - and he’s said all the right things about wanting to be that guy.
But so far, the development on the defensive end hasn’t quite caught up to his offensive growth. The potential is there, but potential doesn’t get stops in the fourth quarter.
Then there’s Ball. The wildcard.
He’s had moments where he uses his length and quickness to disrupt passing lanes or contest shots. But those moments are often few and far between.
More often, lapses in defensive focus, poor positioning, or an unwillingness to fight through screens show up - and they show up at the worst times. For a player with his talent and basketball IQ, the hope is that the defensive side of his game will mature.
But right now, it’s still a work in progress.
Roster Realities and the Big Man Question
The Hornets’ defensive issues aren’t just about the backcourt. The frontcourt isn’t doing them many favors either.
Miles Bridges, while a dynamic offensive player, continues to struggle on defense. He’s undersized for a traditional power forward role, and his lack of discipline makes him a liability in help situations. Whether it’s closing out on shooters or rotating to protect the rim, the consistency just isn’t there.
At center, Ryan Kalkbrenner has shown some promise as a rim protector - he’s got the size and timing to block shots around the basket. But his lack of lateral quickness limits what he can do outside the paint.
In today’s NBA, where bigs are constantly being pulled into pick-and-rolls and forced to defend in space, that’s a problem. Drop coverage can only take you so far, especially against teams with multiple ball-handlers who can navigate screens and hit from mid-range or beyond.
That leaves the Hornets in a tough spot. They want to keep Ball, Miller, and Knueppel on the floor together as much as possible - and that makes sense.
That’s the future. But when those three are on the floor, the team needs frontcourt players who can cover for their defensive growing pains.
Right now, they don’t have those guys.
A Path Forward
If Charlotte is serious about building around this trio - and all signs point to that being the plan - then the next step is clear: they need to shore up the defense, particularly in the frontcourt. That likely means finding a power forward who can defend in space and a center who can anchor the paint without getting exposed on the perimeter. Easier said than done, but necessary.
The offense is already ahead of schedule. The chemistry is building.
The scoring is there. But until the Hornets figure out how to get stops - especially against teams with elite guard play - they’ll be stuck in shootouts they can’t consistently win.
The foundation is in place. Now it’s about building the right structure around it.