The future of the Charlotte Hornets looks undeniably bright. Even though the team didn’t cash in on its slim odds of landing a top‑four pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, Charlotte already has foundational pieces in place—players who simply have to remain part of the long‑term vision.
It’s entirely possible that Jeff Peterson opts for a conservative approach this offseason. The Hornets exceeded expectations with their current core, and there’s every reason to believe they can build on that momentum heading into the summer.
If Charlotte does find itself involved in high‑stakes trade discussions, these three players should be considered virtually untouchable.
Kon Knueppel
The No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Kon Knueppel, has been nothing short of sensational in his rookie season. And quite frankly, he should’ve been the Rookie of the Year.
Leading the entire league in three‑pointers made as a rookie is unheard of, and he’s helped transform the Hornets in multiple ways. What’s wild is that he’s only getting started.
At this point, Knueppel is completely untradable. He’s 20 years old, already outperforming expectations, and still just tapping into what he can become at the NBA level.
No, he’s not Victor Wembanyama-level talent and that doesn’t matter. Knueppel is legitimately outstanding, and there’s zero reason the Hornets should even entertain involving him in anything.
LaMelo Ball
A year ago, the discourse around LaMelo Ball sounded completely different. Doubts about his durability and critiques of his “non-winning” style of play dominated the narrative.
Now, it’s impossible to ignore how essential he is. Ball is the engine of the offense—everything hums when he’s on the floor and he’s dang near irreplaceable.
When a player ranks in the 99th percentile in positive points per possession (per Cleaning the Glass), that’s invaluable to the offense. A healthy LaMelo is the clearest proof of concept for this team’s ceiling. After a season that finally showcased what he can unlock with talent around him, trading him shouldn’t even be on the table.
Moussa Diabate
Fresh off winning the NBA Hustle Award, moving Moussa Diabate would run completely counter to the team‑building philosophy Charles Lee has emphasized lately. Diabate is the heartbeat of this roster—his value stretches far beyond the box score.
His relentless activity on the offensive glass created wave after wave of extra possessions. Those second‑chance opportunities are a core ingredient in how Charlotte wants to play. When a team launches as many threes as the Hornets do, being able to effectively “mulligan” a missed shot tilts the math heavily in their favor.
Take Diabate out of that equation, and the entire structure of their offensive identity becomes harder to sustain.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Follow