Charlotte Hornets are being told to move on from LaMelo Ball, their supposed franchise player they drafted third overall in 2020. He has been with the team for almost five years but they are to to see a playoffs appearance with him as their main player.
This take was fueled by the promising performances from Kon Knueppel, their 2025 5th overall pick. The Wisconsin-native is consistently in the Top 5 of NBA Rookie Ladder and is averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Knueppel has played in all Hornets game so far while Ball has missed 10 so far. He also averages the same number as the rookie in terms of points.
Ball has been criticized heavily this season. He was tagged as the most unserious player this season and according to an insider, his value is getting low.
“Someone today I was speaking to on the phone called LaMelo Ball the ‘most unserious player’ in the NBA,” reporter Jake Fischer said.
“That is not my opinion; that was one prominent cap person in the NBA.”
A lot of critics he is no longer the franchise player that he is supposed to be. Even a Hornets-dedicated fan site thinks it’s time to part ways.
LaMelo Ball is not a leader
Add Demarcus Cousins to those who think Ball’s value has diminished. The four-time All-Star echoed the sentiment of executives that he is unserious by talking about his capability as a leader.
Who could take that role from him? The same rookie that was mentioned above.
“Just because he’s (LaMelo) the best player, just because he’s the most talented doesn’t necessarily make him the clear cut leader of the team, maybe Kon Knueppel can be that guy,” Cousins said in the Run it Back show.
His co-hosts agreed but did more by saying Knueppel is now the most untouchable in the franchise. Cousins agreed.
Demarcus Cousins on the leadership in Charlotte:
“Just because he’s (LaMelo) the best player, just because he’s the most talented doesnt necessarily make him the clear cut leader of the team, maybe Kon Knueppel can be that guy…” pic.twitter.com/iaX5wQ9HzI
— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) December 16, 2025
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