The Charlotte Hornets enter the 2026-27 season with one of the league’s more interesting shooting profiles, and the only team ahead of them in this particular category is Boston.
Charlotte has four players on the current roster who averaged at least 2.5 made 3-pointers last season: Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. That puts the Hornets second in the NBA behind the Celtics, who have Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Derrick White in that group.
That kind of perimeter firepower matters in a league built around spacing and shot-making. Knueppel, a rookie, led the league in 3s last season, while Miller, Allen and O’Neale all bring proven shooting from deep. Coby White is part of the mix too, and his range gives Charlotte another threat from just about anywhere on the floor.
White is also expected to carry a bigger load next season as the Hornets’ new starting point guard in the post-LaMelo Ball era. With Ball gone, the ball will be in different hands, and both Miller and Knueppel are set for larger offensive roles as their usage rises.
That shift comes after a stretch that never produced a playoff berth for Charlotte in the Ball-Miles Bridges era. The Hornets haven’t reached the postseason since 2016, and Year 1 without Ball and Bridges will be watched closely to see whether that drought finally ends.
Not everyone around the team was thrilled with the Ball trade, but Hornets president of basketball operations and general manager Jeff Peterson said he was comfortable making the move because of Miller and Knueppel. Speaking to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Peterson pointed to the way the decision was handled and the belief the team has in its young players.
"I’m very comfortable," Peterson said. "Charles 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."
Charlotte will open the 2026-27 season on the road against the Brooklyn Nets.
In Other News...
Hornets Suddenly Have A Tough Frontcourt Decision This Offseason
Moussa Diabate carved out a real role for Charlotte last season, giving the Hornets energy, rebounding and reliable minutes in the middle across 73 games. For a young team still sorting out its long-term frontcourt, that kind of production matters, which is why his name surfacing in offseason trade chatter is notable even before any decisions are made.
The Hornets will have to weigh present value against future flexibility, especially if the front office sees a chance to add draft capital while Diabates market is active. Nothing is imminent, but his emergence as a useful rotation center has only made the choice more complicated for Charlotte as it tries to balance development with roster-building. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Still Have A Domantas Sabonis Problem They Can't Ignore
Charlottes interest in Domantas Sabonis is still on the board, and that alone says plenty about how the Hornets are thinking as they look for frontcourt help. Sacramentos All-Star center remains a logical fit on paper, with two seasons left on his deal and a looming extension question that adds another layer to any trade conversation. For Charlotte, this is less about simple curiosity and more about whether a player of Sabonis caliber is worth the kind of move that can reshape a roster.
The problem is the cost, and that is where the talks have stalled. The Kings have been pushing for meaningful value in return, while the Hornets have so far shown no interest in paying that kind of premium, even as picks and players have been part of the broader discussion. With the sides still apart, and no deal expected anytime soon, Charlotte is left balancing its need for help now against the price of giving up real future flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Miller Just Got A Huge Endorsement Before His Biggest Hornets Season
With LaMelo Ball gone, the Hornets are moving into a new phase built around Brandon Miller, and that shift has already drawn attention from one of the games bigger voices. Tracy McGrady recently backed Miller to take a meaningful leap this season, pointing to the kind of scoring load Charlotte now needs from him as it tries to identify its next centerpiece.
For Miller, the opportunity is clear, but so is the challenge. He has shown enough to make the Hornets believe there is real star upside, yet questions remain about his finishing, defense and playmaking if he is going to handle this kind of responsibility every night. The organization may be ready to hand him the keys, but the next step is proving he can drive the offense while rounding out the rest of his game. [Read more 🡒]