Did the Charlotte Hornets Just Pull Off the Smartest NBA Draft Ever?

Did the Charlotte Hornets Just Pull Off the Smartest NBA Draft Ever?

The Charlotte Hornets were a joke last season, but with three perfect draft picks, they may have just pulled off the greatest rebuild pivot we’ve seen in years. Let’s face it, the Hornets haven’t exactly been the blueprint for good decision-m. Their rotations were chaotic. Their roster was weak and injuries made things even worse. But this year, they didn’t just draft for talent. They drafted for fit, IQ, and long-term value. They landed three players in the top 35 who were not only dominant in college, but also efficient, high IQ playmakers. That alone gives Charlotte more direction than they’ve had in years. It wasn’t just about missing shots. Charlotte’s offense lacks smart decision makers. Outside of LaMelo Ball, the team relied too heavily on isolation scorers like Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. Guys who can hit tough shots but struggle to create for others. The result, a stagnant offense with no rhythm or flow. By drafting players who thrive on ball movement, offball activity, and efficiency, the Hornets finally gave LaMelo the kind of help that elevates an entire offense, not just individual stat lines. With the fourth overall pick, Charlotte selected Kon Kiple. With the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets select Khan Canipple from Duke University. Canipple’s got deep range. Shot 48% on corner threes and his shooting mechanics and his shot preparation, uh, his low base, uh, near perfect and he catches it to shoot it. And you’ve got to take that shot away from him. a 6’6 in freshman wing who might be the best shooter in the draft. His college tape was electric. He hit 38.8% from three, 90% from the line, and ranked in the 99th percentile on spot-up shots. And that’s not just a hot streak. That’s elite mechanics, a silky oneotion release, and a deep bag of offensive tools. But what makes Kupal special isn’t just the jumper. He’s a high IQ player with the ability to attack closeouts, read the floor in motion, and make smart passes under pressure. While most young wings are either scorers or facilitators, Kenupil is both. Canopel doesn’t need the ball to be effective. But when he has it, he makes the right decision. That’s exactly what Charlotte needed. With LaMelo Ball running the offense and Brandon Miller spacing the floor, Kenopel gives them a connector. someone who can keep the ball moving, exploit defensive gaps, and hit big shots without forcing bad ones. Defensively, he’s not a lockdown stopper, but his size, effort, and IQ make him a reliable team defender. He fights through screens, anticipates plays, and uses his wingspan well. Even if he doesn’t become an elite perimeter defender, he won’t be a liability. Canopel doesn’t jump out of the gym, but he doesn’t need to. He plays at his own pace. gets to his spots and rarely makes mistakes. His footwork is sharp, his shot selection is disciplined, and his passing vision is underrated. This isn’t a project pick. This is someone who’s ready to contribute from day one. Think Cam Johnson’s shooting with Denny Abdas feel for the game. That’s the kind of player the Hornets just added to their core. With their second firstrounder acquired in the Mark Williams trade, Charlotte drafted Liam McNeely, another 66 wing with a plus wingspan and yes, more shooting. Though his overall three-point percentage was just 31%, he shot 37% on catch and shoot attempts, often under heavy pressure. He’s a high volume shooter who’s confident from anywhere on the court. McNeel’s shot profile was filled with tough looks, pull-ups, offmovement shots, quick releases, and that’s why his true value isn’t in the raw numbers, but in the difficulty of shots he was taking. And in Charlotte’s offense, where he won’t have to force it as much, he could explode as a shooter. McNeely has one of the best motors off the ball in this class. He’s constantly moving, relocating, and finding open pockets of space. That kind of activity is gold in a five out offense. With Cannipel and McNeely on the wings, LaMelo now has two high motor shooters who understand spacing, timing, and ball movement. And while McNeely isn’t the advanced passer that Countel is, he’s unselfish and capable of quick swing passes that keep the ball moving. He knows his role and plays within it, which frankly is rare among rookies. New head coach Charles Lee wants to bring a fast-paced ball sharing, high volume shooting system to Charlotte. It’s clear he’s taking notes from the Boston Celtics style, quick decisions, smart rotations, and positional versatility. Canal and McNeely are tailorade for that style. They’re both smart, mobile, and thrive in motion-based offenses. Add LaMelo Ball’s creativity to that equation and suddenly the Hornets have a foundation for a modern playoff caliber offense. While the offense looks promising, defense is still a concern. Neither Canel nor McNeely projects as a shutdown defender and many of Charlotte’s core players, LaMelo, Miller, Bridges, have had struggles on that end. That’s where their next pick becomes key. The Hornets needed to replace Mark Williams and they did just that. At pick number 34, Charlotte grabbed Ryan Kulk Brener, a 7-1 big man with a massive frame and a true rim protecting mindset. He averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks per game in college. More importantly, he completely transformed his college team’s defense. When he was on the floor, they were 10 points better defensively. That’s huge for a Hornet squad that desperately needed a reliable anchor inside. Kulk Brener isn’t the flashiest athlete. He won’t be switching on to guards or flying around like an ultramodern big, but he knows exactly who he is. He’s strong, he’s physical, and he stays disciplined in drop coverage. In today’s NBA, having a big who can dominate drop coverage and clean up mistakes at the rim is priceless, especially when your perimeter defenders aren’t elite. On offense, Kulk Brener is a pure finisher. He shot an incredible 70% off screens in his senior year, set rock solid picks, and finished everything around the rim. His touch is surprisingly soft for someone his size. He even hit 34% of his threes and 70% from the line, hinting at potential shooting upside down the line. Charlotte doesn’t need Kulk Brener to create his own offense. They need him to be a big target, finish strong, and occasionally space the floor. With LaMelo throwing lobs and Canapple, and McNeely pulling defenders out, Kulk Brener should find easy buckets right away. Trading Mark Williams was risky, but getting Kulk Brener as a replacement makes it feel like a master stroke. Williams struggled with injuries and effort, and the Hornets didn’t want to risk a long-term investment. Kulkbre meanwhile is healthy, dependable, and brings a steady presence. He may not become a star, but he fits exactly what Charlotte needs right now. A reliable big man who does his job at a high level. Lastly, with a later pick, Charlotte took a shot on Cion James. Out of all their picks, he’s the biggest question mark. He shot 39% from three as a senior, but just 29% the year before, which raises questions about whether his shooting is real or a one-season wonder. However, James shines defensively. He’s arguably the best defensive prospect Charlotte added in this draft. His screen navigation is topnotch. He moves well laterally, and he brings serious energy on that end. In a rotation that needs perimeter stoppers, James could find minutes early if that jumper holds up. If James can keep hitting shots, he could become a Danthony Melton type guard, a combo player who can come off the bench, defend multiple positions, and knock down enough open looks to stay on the floor. That would be a major win for Charlotte’s depth, giving them another versatile piece to throw at opponent’s best wings or guards. A big reason for this draft’s success is Charlotte’s improved front office. Since the new ownership took over, they’ve made a string of intelligent moves. Trading Gordon Hayward for Trey Mann, adding Yousef Nerkage for picks and flipping Mark Williams before his value crashed. This draft felt like a continuation of that smart approach. They didn’t just chase highlight real athletes or raw upside. They went for players who are productive, smart, and ready to help right away. In the NBA, that’s rare and valuable. At the center of all these moves is LaMelo Ball. For years, the Hornets failed to surround him with players who complemented his strengths, shooters who move without the ball, bigs who can finish plays, and defenders who take pressure off him. This draft finally addressed all those needs at once. With Canapple and McNeely stretching the floor and moving constantly, LaMelo will have driving lanes and open kickout options like never before. Cole Brener gives him a true lob threat and a safety valve inside. Even James, if his shot sticks, could offer another weapon in smaller lineups. What’s most exciting isn’t just the individual players. It’s the identity they represent. Charlotte can now dream of a five out offense where shooters fly around, bigs set crushing screens, and the ball zips from side to side. This kind of modern approach felt impossible for the Hornets just a year ago. Defensively, they still have work to do, but with a true rim protector in Cole Brener and at least one promising perimeter stopper in James, they’ve taken major steps in the right direction. The Hornets won’t transform into title contenders overnight, but they might finally be watchable and even fun. With a young core of LaMelo, Miller, Canapple, McNeely, and Cole Brener, fans can expect ball movement, highlight plays, and real growth. This draft was more than just adding talent. It was a statement that Charlotte is ready to move forward with a plan. Something their fans have been waiting for desperately. If these picks develop as expected, we could be talking about the Hornets as one of the NBA’s biggest surprise stories in the coming seasons. So, if you’re a Charlotte fan, get ready and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and drop a comment if you’re excited for the new Hornets era. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Like, share and join the ride with us.

Did the Charlotte Hornets Just Pull Off the Smartest NBA Draft Ever?

The Charlotte Hornets are looking to improve, and the recent **nba draft reaction** shows optimism. With the addition of key players like Kon Knueppel, the **hornets rebuild** is underway. The **hornets news** is buzzing about the potential of this new roster and their improved chances in **nba basketball**. #basketball #nba #charlottehornets