The Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball in June, and the return package was heavy on future assets. But for rookie wing Kon Knueppel, the immediate loss is more personal than transactional.
Speaking on the Milwaukee Uncut Podcast, the No. 4 overall pick and Rookie of the Year runner-up admitted the deal caught him off guard. Ball and Josh Green were sent to Minnesota for Naz Reed, a 2030 first-round pick, three pick swaps, and three second-rounders. Knueppel didn’t mince words about what that move cost the locker room.
“Definitely a shock,” Knueppel said, via Kyle Ingram. “LaMelo’s a great dude. He was awesome… He was great to be around every day, and so that’s already missed. Just the joy and energy that he brought to the locker room.”
Knueppel specifically mentioned how Ball greeted everyone in the building — trainers, coaches, even the kitchen staff. That daily routine, he said, made Ball more than just a point guard. It made him a culture guy.
And it’s not like the two didn’t produce together. The Hornets won 44 games last season for the first time in a decade. Knueppel led the NBA with 273 made three-pointers, finishing one ahead of Ball. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.5 percent from deep. Ball ran the show, and Knueppel caught fire off it.
What the trade means for Knueppel’s role
Ball is now in Minnesota pairing up with Anthony Edwards. Knueppel stays in Charlotte with a heavier offensive load and no All-Star creator feeding him. That adjustment is real. The Hornets are betting they can build a more balanced roster around their young wings, but losing a top-tier playmaker changes the geometry of the floor.
Knueppel says he still talks to Ball and plans to keep that connection alive. He also insists he’s not sulking over the trade. He’s focused on the next step.
“He was great to be around every day,” Knueppel said. “So that’s already missed.”
The kid is 20 years old. He just led the league in made threes. The Hornets are asking him to grow up fast without the guard who made those threes possible. If his public handling of this move is any clue, he’s mature enough to handle the pressure. But the numbers next season will tell the real story.
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