Charlotte Hornets News

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Kon Knueppel • SG • Hornets

Kon Knueppel's Status for Opener Remains Uncertain

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) still has no return timeline ahead of Wednesday's opener at Brooklyn, head coach Charles Lee said Sunday, per WCNC's Nick Carboni. Knueppel has been doing more in practice and taking more contact after a left hamstring strain sidelined him for the entire preseason. The 21-year-old averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a rookie while leading the NBA with 273 three-pointers. With LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges traded away this offseason, Knueppel should have room for more usage and creation work once healthy.

Yesterday

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White Still Without Return Timeline

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) still has no return timeline ahead of Wednesday's opener at Brooklyn, head coach Charles Lee said Sunday, per WCNC's Nick Carboni. Lee said White has increased his workload and added more contact in practice after a left calf strain cost him the entire preseason. The 26-year-old also had his Charlotte debut delayed last season by a left calf injury and averaged 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 50 games. If White remains sidelined, Dennis Schroder is expected to handle more of the backcourt workload, with rookie Christian Anderson also in the mix for additional minutes.

Yesterday

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Drills Four Triples in Win Over Bucks

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller scored 18 points in Sunday's 105-90 preseason win over the Milwaukee Bucks, adding four assists, three rebounds, and one block in 22 minutes. Miller shot 6-for-15 from the field and 4-for-9 from three after missing Charlotte's opener with a shin contusion. He averaged a team-high 20.2 points last season, and LaMelo Ball's departure leaves more room for Miller to take on a larger offensive role. With the regular-season opener set for Oct. 21 at Brooklyn, getting through his first exhibition without an apparent setback was an encouraging sign.

7 days ago

Naz Reid • C • Hornets

Naz Reid Scores 13 Points in Hornets Preseason Debut

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid recorded 13 points and four rebounds in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He shot 3-for-9 from the field, 1-for-5 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line. Head coach Charles Lee highlighted Reid's versatility and ability to create out of mismatches after the game. Reid averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 26.1 minutes with Minnesota last season, mostly in a reserve role. If he sticks in the starting lineup in Charlotte, the extra minutes should give him more chances to score and rebound.

Oct 7

Grayson Allen • SF • Hornets

Grayson Allen Perfect From Deep in Hornets Debut

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Grayson Allen scored 13 points in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He shot 4-for-6 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, while adding one rebound and one assist. Allen, acquired from Phoenix this offseason, averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 threes in 28.8 minutes across 51 games last season. Once Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) are back, Allen may have to compete for touches, but his shooting should still keep him in the rotation.

Oct 7

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Misses Preseason Opener with Shin Contusion

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (shin) missed Tuesday's preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets after suffering a shin contusion in practice. The team considers him day-to-day, so there is no indication yet that the injury is serious. The 23-year-old underwent left shoulder surgery in May but entered camp cleared for full contact. Miller led Charlotte with 20.2 points per game last season, and LaMelo Ball's departure leaves him with an even bigger offensive role. With Kon Knueppel (hamstring) also out for the preseason, Charlotte has little reason to rush Miller back.

Oct 6

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White to Miss Preseason with Calf Strain

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) suffered a left calf strain during training camp and will miss the entire preseason, the team announced Monday, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 26-year-old missed last preseason and the first 11 regular-season games with a right calf strain, then was diagnosed with a left calf strain after his February trade to Charlotte. White played a career-low 50 games last season, averaging 17.4 points and 4.0 assists in 25.0 minutes. With Kon Knueppel (hamstring) sidelined as well, Dennis Schroder and rookie Christian Anderson should get more playing time in the backcourt. White is still expected to open the season as Charlotte's starting point guard, but his recent calf history makes him harder to trust for consistent availability.

Oct 5

Kon Knueppel • SG • Hornets

Kon Knueppel Iffy for Opening Night

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) remains uncertain for the Oct. 21 season opener in Brooklyn, according to Owen Watterson of Sports Illustrated. General manager Jeff Peterson said Monday that he "doesn't know" whether Knueppel will be ready, though the 21-year-old said he is no longer dealing with pain. Knueppel will miss the entire preseason after averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while leading the league with 273 three-pointers as a rookie. Charlotte wants him handling more playmaking responsibility this season following the departures of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. If Knueppel misses time, Grayson Allen and Sion James could pick up extra perimeter minutes, while Brandon Miller and Coby White would have more offense to absorb.

Sep 30

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller to be Full Participant in Training Camp

Charlotte Hornets small forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) is expected to be a full participant in training camp, according to head coach Jeff Peterson. After undergoing offseason surgery in May of last season, Miller is nearing 100% and expects to be ready for the season opener. In his third season, the former second-overall pick averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, a decline across all three major statistics compared with his strong 2024-25 second season. With LaMelo Ball now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miller is expected to take on a larger on-ball role alongside Kon Knueppel and Coby White. Ranked 52nd in RotoBaller's Points Rankings, Miller is fully healthy heading into a contract season and is a premier breakout candidate in 2026.

Sep 29

Grant Williams • PF • Hornets

Grant Williams Suffers Right-Hamstring Injury

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Grant Williams (hamstring) will miss the entire preseason after suffering a right hamstring injury during offseason on-court activity, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. He will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. Williams averaged 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes across 36 games last season while shooting 38.8 percent from three. The 27-year-old was already competing for frontcourt minutes after Charlotte added Naz Reid and rookie Hannes Steinbach. Williams carried limited fantasy value when healthy, and his absence could create a few extra early-season opportunities for the Hornets' other forwards and bigs.

Sep 25

Kon Knueppel • SG • Hornets

Kon Knueppel to Miss Preseason with Hamstring Injury

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) will miss the preseason after suffering a left hamstring injury during offseason on-court activity, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The Hornets will re-evaluate him during the first week of the regular season, putting his early-season availability in question. Knueppel missed just one game as a rookie while averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 threes in 31.5 minutes. He also set an NBA rookie record with a league-leading 273 three-pointers. With LaMelo Ball gone, Knueppel is positioned for a larger offensive role once healthy, but the hamstring adds some early-season risk.

Sep 25

Ryan Nembhard • PG • Hornets

Ryan Nembhard Traded to Hornets, Expected to be Waived

The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Ryan Nembhard to the Charlotte Hornets alongside guard/forward Buddy Hield and cash in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports that Charlotte is expected to waive Nembhard following the deal. The 23-year-old never appeared for Atlanta after arriving in the three-team trade involving Luguentz Dort this summer. Nembhard averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists across 60 games with Dallas last season, including 27 starts, while shooting 35.6 percent from three. Where he ends up next will play a big role in whether he can get enough minutes to matter in fantasy.

Sep 22

Buddy Hield • SF • Hornets

Buddy Hield Traded to Hornets

The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard/forward Buddy Hield, guard Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Hield appeared in only seven games for Atlanta after arriving from Golden State at the trade deadline and averaged a career-low 7.6 points across 51 games last season. Charlotte already has plenty of perimeter options, including Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grayson Allen, and Dennis Schroder, so consistent minutes could be tough to find. Hield's main fantasy appeal remains his ability to provide three-point shooting when given enough run.

Sep 22

Buddy Hield • SF • Hornets

Buddy Hield Surfaces in Hawks-Hornets Trade Talks

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield has surfaced in on-and-off trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reporting that discussions have included Dorian Finney-Smith. Hield averaged 7.6 points in 16.1 minutes across 51 games last season while shooting a career-low 34.9 percent from three. He barely featured after arriving in Atlanta, and the additions of Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins add more competition for perimeter minutes. Charlotte is crowded on the wing as well, with Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and Liam McNeeley among the options. A trade alone would not revive Hield's fantasy value; he still needs a steady rotation role and a bounce-back shooting season.

Sep 20

Naz Reid • C • Hornets

Naz Reid Steps Into Starting Role with Charlotte

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid is in line to open the season as a full-time starter after arriving from Minnesota in the LaMelo Ball trade, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year has never held that kind of role, but he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 36.2 percent from three in a crowded Timberwolves frontcourt. The fit in Charlotte gives him a cleaner fantasy runway. Coby White should take over as the primary initiator, while Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will also command touches on the wing. Reid's per-minute production has always been useful, and a steady starting workload could push him toward career highs in points, rebounds, and threes.

Sep 9

Coby White • SG • Hornets

Coby White Set to Run the Show in Charlotte

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is expected to open the season as the team's starting point guard after LaMelo Ball was sent to Minnesota in a deal built around Naz Reid and draft capital, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. White arrived from Chicago at last season's deadline and came off the bench for Charlotte, averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes across 21 games. His last two full seasons with the Bulls are the better fantasy guide, as he averaged roughly 19.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 threes while carrying a larger on-ball role. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will need touches, and Reid adds another scoring option up front, but White has the clearest path to initiating the offense after signing a three-year, $74 million deal. A career-best fantasy season is in play if the minutes climb.

Sep 9

Bez Mbeng • PG • Hornets

Hornets Sign Bez Mbeng

The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Bez Mbeng on Tuesday, according to Charlotte Observer reporter Rod Boone. The 23-year-old fills the roster spot opened by Kobe Stewart's release, and the deal is likely an Exhibit 10 as Charlotte builds out its camp group. Mbeng closed last season on the fringe of Utah's rotation, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals in 32.8 minutes across 15 games while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. That stretch included a 27-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double off the bench against Memphis. The steals are interesting, but Charlotte already has Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Dennis Schroder, and Grayson Allen ahead of him in the guard mix. Sioux Falls still controls his G-League returning rights, so Greensboro would need a trade to secure him if he does not make the Hornets.

Sep 8

Kobe Stewart • SF • Hornets

Kobe Stewart Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets signed guard/forward Kobe Stewart to an Exhibit 10 contract, filling the roster spot created by Jarkel Joiner's waiver. Stewart went undrafted out of Presbyterian in 2025 and spent his first professional season bouncing between the Austin Spurs, Memphis Hustle, and Wisconsin Herd. The 24-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.0 minutes across 46 G-League games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three. He also played for Milwaukee in Summer League, averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds over six games. Charlotte is expected to waive Stewart before the season and steer him toward Greensboro, leaving him off fantasy radars unless his jumper makes a real leap.

Sep 4

Dennis Schröder • PG • Hornets

Dennis Schroder Seals Germany's Overtime Win Over Poland

Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder led Germany past Poland 96-94 in overtime in Sunday's FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifier, finishing with 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal while shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 2-for-5 from deep, and 6-for-7 at the line. FIBA credited him with the game-winning free throws with 17 seconds left, a reminder that the 32-year-old can still manage late-game offense. Charlotte acquired Schroder from Cleveland in August after he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists over 70 games last season, but his fantasy ceiling still depends on steady minutes in a crowded Hornets backcourt.

Aug 31

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Nearing a Return After Shoulder Surgery

According to Rod Boone, Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller (shoulder) is nearing a return to action after having surgery. Miller underwent left shoulder surgery in May. Miller recently told Boone in an interview that his shoulder is more mobile after undergoing surgery. The Hornets haven't given a timetable on Miller's return to the court yet. He's still waiting to get full clearance to return to basketball activities. There is still over a month before training camp, so Miller still has plenty of time to get ready. The expectation is that Miller will be ready to play by the beginning of the season.

Aug 25

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