By June 26, 2025
Photo: Chris Carlson / AP
The Charlotte Hornets selected Duke freshman Kon Knueppel with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, adding one of the most polished offensive players in the class. At just 19, Knueppel plays with an advanced feel for the game and rarely makes mistakes — traits that set him apart from most prospects his age. With shades of Klay Thompson and Desmond Bane in his game, Knueppel projects as a high-level shooting guard who could be a foundational piece in Charlotte’s rebuild.
The pick aligns with the front office’s philosophy of prioritizing high-IQ, versatile players who elevate others.
After the selection, Knueppel shared that he had a feeling this might be his landing spot. “After the visit, we felt really good about Charlotte,” he said. “We knew we were in a good spot there.”
Get to know Kon Knueppel
A Milwaukee native, Knueppel was named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball in 2024 after leading Wisconsin Lutheran to a state title and topping the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in scoring (22.5 ppg) in 2023. He comes from a deeply basketball-rooted family — both of his parents were college players, and his uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, had a stint in the NBA. The oldest of five basketball-playing brothers, Knueppel impressed teams during the pre-draft process with his maturity and no-nonsense approach.
At Duke, Knueppel opened the season by surprising scouts, looking like the team’s best player before being overtaken by Cooper Flagg as the season progressed. But when Flagg went down in the first round of the ACC Tournament, Knueppel rose to the occasion. He carried the team to the conference title, was named ACC Tournament MVP, and flashed on-ball scoring upside that had largely gone untapped during the season.
What separates Knueppel is the completeness of his offensive game. His movement shooting will be his calling card — he hit 47% of his open catch-and-shoot threes and 37% on contested attempts this year, both on high volume. But there’s more. He attacks closeouts decisively, finishes with strength and craft around the rim (already weighing in at 219 pounds), and consistently finds the open man when help arrives. He doesn’t just score — he keeps the offense humming, often turning down good shots for great shots.
For a Hornets team that finished dead last in offensive efficiency this season, Knueppel fills a glaring need. He’s a seamless fit next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, having already shown the ability to thrive alongside a high-usage star in Flagg at Duke
He’s also a solid defender, using his strong frame and sound footwork to stay in front of drives. He rotates on time, competes on the glass, and plays with a motor that keeps him engaged even when his shot isn’t falling. While he’ll be at a physical disadvantage some nights, he compensates with effort, basketball IQ, and anticipation.
Knueppel won’t bring viral highlights or flashy crossovers — but what he will bring is winning basketball. He’ll space the floor, move the ball, and serve as a release valve when the offense stalls. Could Charlotte have swung for someone with more All-Star upside? Sure. But players like Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson, and Jeremiah Fears come with far more downside. Kon Knueppel is a high-floor pick — a near-lock to be a good NBA player for a long time.
This also signals a much-needed pivot for the Hornets. They’ve gone for upside swings in the past — James Bouknight, Kai Jones, Malik Monk — and largely missed. Flash and flair didn’t pan out. This front office is now placing a premium on intelligence, production, and fit. Knueppel may not be the boldest pick, but he’s the right one.
Mark Williams Trade and Liam McNeely
While the Phoenix Suns were on the clock with the 10th pick — ultimately selecting Duke center Kahman Malauch — news broke that they had struck a deal to acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte. In return, the Hornets received the 29th pick, which they used to select Liam McNeeley, along with a 2029 first-rounder that will be the least favorable of picks from Minnesota, Cleveland, and Utah.
McNeeley, a 6’8″ shooting guard/small forward, brings solid size and a fiery competitive edge. He’s seen by some as a consolation for the Dalton Knecht trade that fell through with the Lakers earlier this year. A high-profile recruit from powerhouse Montverde Academy, McNeeley was once known as an elite outside shooter, playing alongside stars like Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, and Asa Newell.
His lone season at UConn, however, didn’t fully showcase that shooting touch — he hit just 31.7% from three. But there’s key context: McNeeley was thrust into an unnatural role as a point guard for much of the year and played through a high ankle sprain in the second half of the season, both of which hurt his efficiency and burst.
Charlotte likely didn’t expect McNeeley to fall this far — he was projected 20th in ESPN’s latest mock draft. And while his fit next to Miller and Knueppel may not be perfect, McNeeley gives the Hornets much-needed floor spacing off the bench, along with more length than current depth options like Nick Smith Jr. and Josh Green.
Check out NBA analyst and writer James Plowright’s full recap of the Charlotte Hornets’ second round of the NBA Draft.
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