The Charlotte Hornets are betting big on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
That belief is a major reason president of basketball operations and general manager Jeff Peterson said he was comfortable moving LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Speaking with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Peterson pointed to the growth of Miller and Knueppel as a key factor in the decision.
“I’m very comfortable," Peterson said. "[Hornets head coach] Charles [Lee] and I had a conversation with both of them knowing that these trades can be challenging.
Sometimes I do think we forget that we’re human beings dealing with this stuff - lives and its emotions. Those guys are friends and they are in the locker room every day.
At the same time, Charles and I kind of explained, We believe in you guys, too. You guys are here.
We want to continue to see you guys grow. This is going to challenge you guys.
You guys got to continue to get better.' We wouldn’t have made that trade if we didn’t feel comfortable with what they can continue to be developing into."
With Ball gone, Miller and Knueppel are now being treated as the new faces of the franchise.
Charlotte’s roster shakeup didn’t stop there. The Hornets also sent Josh Green to the Timberwolves in the Ball deal, landing Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks. They later moved Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick.
Looking ahead, Charlotte is expected to open next season with Coby White, Miller, Knueppel, Reid and Moussa Diabaté in the starting five. On paper, that group gives the Hornets a real foundation to work with.
Knueppel didn’t take home the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Award, but he still turned in a standout season. The swingman averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from 3 and 86.3% from the free-throw line. He also led the NBA in 3s.
Miller’s season was just as important to Charlotte’s thinking. He played in 65 games last season and put up 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, 38.3% from deep and 89.2% from the line.
In Other News...
Hornets Just Made A Defining Coby White Decision
The Hornets spent the offseason reshaping the roster, but one of their clearest moves came with Coby White. Charlotte re-signed the guard and, in the process, signaled that he was part of the plan regardless of how the rest of the backcourt picture shook out. President of basketball operations and general manager Jeff Peterson said White was a priority signing independent of LaMelo Balls status, a notable detail given how much the team has changed around him.
With Ball now gone to Minnesota, White is positioned to step into a larger role as Charlotte sorts through the rest of its new-look lineup. Petersons comments suggest the Hornets viewed White as more than a fallback option, and that the front office would have pursued the move with or without the trade that altered the depth chart. For a team that made several trades and draft picks this summer, keeping White in place looks like one of the decisions that will define the next phase. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Young Core Just Sent A Complicated Summer League Message
The Hornets used Summer League in Las Vegas to take a closer look at the young group that arrived with last years draft class, and the early read was less about box scores than about roles. Coach Blaine Mueller said the staff wanted to see growth from Liam McNeeley, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the areas that will matter once the games count, with each player asked to show a different layer of his game as Charlotte keeps sorting out who can help sooner rather than later.
McNeeley spent time handling more of the offense, James worked through facilitation duties, and Kalkbrenner was used in ways that tested his ability to create from the post while bringing more force around the rim. Hannes Steinbach and Tidjane Salaun were also part of the mix, with Steinbach leaning into physical play and Salaun focused on defensive execution, while undrafted signee Michael Ajayi gave the Hornets another promising look with his defensive versatility. The challenge now is turning those flashes into something more defined before the summer closes. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Rookies Ended Summer League With Hope For One And Questions For Another
Hannes kept giving Charlotte a reason to feel better about its rookie class in Las Vegas, finishing Summer League with another strong showing that underscored why the Hornets have been intrigued by his blend of size, touch and physicality. He has been steady enough all week to stack productive nights, and his latest effort only reinforced the idea that he can impact a game in more than one way.
Anderson, meanwhile, showed flashes of the playmaking that made him worth watching, putting together a useful scoring and assist line in the finale. The issue for Charlotte is still the same one it has been tracking throughout Summer League: the production is there in spurts, but the efficiency has not consistently followed, leaving the Hornets with a clearer read on his upside than on how quickly he can settle into a reliable role. [Read more 🡒]