Inside Hornets' metamorphosis into the NBA's buzziest team - ESPN

THE SUN WAS still hours away from rising over the Manhattan skyline, but a lively LaMelo Ball was up shortly after 4 a.m., delivering perhaps his most important assist for the Charlotte Hornets on this crisp morning in April 2025.

Ball and Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson were on their way to the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery for the point guard'sseason-ending arthroscopic surgeries on his right wrist and ankle. As their town car cruised up the near-empty New York City streets, Peterson asked Ball for his input on some potential lottery draft targets. The point guard's attention turned toward a highly touted Duke prospect.

Although Cooper Flagg was the consensus can't-miss prospect, Ball was talking up Kon Knueppel to the Hornets GM. Ball had watched Duke play during the season and told Peterson how savvy he thought the forward was. He was struck by Knueppel's basketball IQ and understanding of the game — impressive even for a five-star prospect. And of course, there was Knueppel's elite shooting.

Ball's astute scouting report was before Charlotte even knew where it would be drafting. The Hornets learned in the draft lottery a month later that they would have the fourth pick, which they eventually used on Knueppel.

«He's spot on with those traits,» Peterson told ESPN of that break-of-dawn draft breakdown. «He was very detailed in his evaluation of why he liked him. That was even more impressive that he was able to kind of highlight him because there were some other guys that he didn't highlight.

»He may have a future in the front office if he wants."

A year later, Ball is having the most successful season of his career. And Knueppel, whose historic first season could lead to Rookie of the Year honors, has