Charlotte's Plan After Trading LaMelo Runs Through Kon Knueppel, Whose Hamstring Just Went

The Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota this summer and handed more of the offense to Kon Knueppel. Now Knueppel is out for the entire preseason with a strained left hamstring, hurt during offseason work on the court.

He's not alone. Veteran forward Grant Williams also hurt his right hamstring. Both are out for all four preseason games, and Charlotte will reevaluate them during the first week of the regular season, which starts Oct. 21 in Brooklyn.

Knueppel's rookie year explains why this matters. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds, shot 42.5% from 3, and made 273 threes, the first rookie ever to lead the league. Williams, in his seventh season, has averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds.