HORNETS DOMINATE Draft Strategy | LaMelo’s New Core? | Are Kon and Co. ROTATION READY

We dig into one of the smartest, most cohesive drafts we’ve seen from Charlotte in a long time. Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Liam McNeely—it’s a group that actually makes sense together and fits what LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller need to take the next step.

We break down how Knueppel’s IQ, passing, and shooting gravity could unlock the offense, why Sion James already looks like an NBA-ready defender with a clean shooting track record, and how Kalkbrenner might be the best drop coverage big in the entire class. We also talk about the balance of younger and older rookies, and what that means for the Hornets' rotation in 2025.

Plus, we react to Jeff Peterson’s comments about bringing Tre Mann back—what that means for the bench unit and how it plays into Charlotte’s potential free agency and trade plans. Are they quietly preparing for a big move?

We close it out by looking ahead to Summer League and asking the big question: are we finally watching a front office that knows what it’s doing? After years of head-scratching picks and mismatched rosters, this draft actually feels like it aligns with Charles Lee’s vision. That’s a weird, but very good feeling.

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