The Charlotte Hornets are 28 games into the season, and at 9-19, the numbers aren’t doing them any favors. They’re sitting in the bottom third of the league in nearly every key metric - 21st in points per game, 24th in points allowed, 21st in offensive rating, 23rd in defensive rating, and 23rd in net rating. In short, this team is struggling to find its identity on both ends of the floor.
But if there’s one area that’s becoming a glaring concern, it’s the defense - or lack thereof.
Charlotte’s defense has been described as “soft,” and frankly, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Opponents aren’t just scoring - they’re doing it efficiently.
The Hornets are giving up one of the highest opponent effective field-goal percentages in the league, and it’s not just about missed assignments or poor rotations. It’s the lack of physicality.
Teams aren’t feeling Charlotte’s presence on the floor. There’s no edge, no bite - just a defense that’s letting the game happen to them instead of dictating the terms.
Now, not fouling can be a sign of discipline, sure. But in this case, it feels more like a symptom of passivity.
The Hornets rank near the bottom in forced turnovers, which tells you they’re not pressuring the ball, not jumping passing lanes, and not disrupting offensive rhythm. It’s one thing to play clean defense.
It’s another to be invisible.
Rookie big man Ryan Kalkbrenner has shown flashes as a rim protector - he’s long, he’s instinctive, and he’s got the timing to be a real presence in the paint. But he’s often left on an island because the perimeter defense simply isn’t holding up.
Guards are getting into the lane with little resistance, and by the time help comes, it’s usually too late. Kalkbrenner can’t be the last line of defense on every possession, especially when the first and second lines are folding so easily.
It’s not just about physicality on the perimeter, either. Charlotte lacks interior muscle.
They’re not winning the battle in the paint, and they’re not imposing their will on either side of the floor. That combination - soft on the outside, light on the inside - is a recipe for defensive disaster.
This isn’t a new problem for the Hornets. It’s been a while since Charlotte has been relevant in the playoff picture.
Their last postseason appearance came back in 2016, and they haven’t posted a winning record since the 2021-22 season. That’s nearly a decade of frustration for a fanbase still waiting for a breakthrough.
But there’s a silver lining - and his name is Kon Knueppel.
The rookie out of Duke has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. He’s averaging 19.4 points per game while shooting an efficient 47.3% from the field, 40.9% from three, and a lights-out 91.5% from the free-throw line.
That’s elite-level shooting, especially for a first-year player. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it with poise, confidence, and a skill set that looks tailor-made for today’s NBA.
Knueppel gives the Hornets something they desperately need: a foundational piece. A guy you can build around. And when you pair him with Brandon Miller, who’s shown promise in his own right, there’s at least a path forward - a young core with upside, shooting, and the potential to grow into something real.
That raises the big question: what do you do with LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges?
There’s chatter around the league that Charlotte should consider moving on from both and fully commit to a rebuild centered around Knueppel and Miller. It’s a bold move, but one that might make sense if the goal is to reset the culture and build something sustainable.
The Hornets have been stuck in the middle - not bad enough to bottom out, not good enough to compete. Sometimes, the only way out is through.
All eyes will be on executive Jeff Peterson to see whether he’s ready to pull the trigger on a new direction. Because right now, this version of the Hornets isn’t getting it done. The defense is soft, the results are flat, and the clock is ticking.
But with Knueppel’s emergence and Miller’s upside, there’s at least a glimmer of hope. The foundation is there. Now it’s about making the right moves to build something that lasts.