Charlotte Hornets Summer League Guide

Summer is for FEELINGS! Details, big questions, roster profiles AND a special deal.

The Details

All 76 games of the 11-day competition will air live on ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3) or NBA TV. Every game will also be available to stream on the ESPN App.

Each team will play at least five games, the first four from July 10-17. The top four teams will advance to participate in the playoffs, beginning with a semifinal doubleheader on Saturday, July 19 at 4 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET on ESPN. The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the championship game on Sunday, July 20 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Hornets Schedule

Friday, July 11th - Jazz at Hornets

• Ace Bailey vs. Kon Knueppel

• Tough opener. The Jazz have a pretty stacked team in general. Collier, Springer, Sensabaugh all saw NBA minutes last season.

• Will Ace Bailey break a Summer League record for shot attempts?

Saturday, July 12th - Hornets vs. Sixers

• Oh VJ Edgecombe…so close.

• Jalen Hood Schifino, the rare 3rd year Summer Leaguer

Monday July 14th - Hornets at Mavericks

• Cooper Flagg, ever heard of him? Hopefully he’s still playing by this time.

Thursday, July 17th - Spurs at Hornets

• Dylan Harper, ever heard of him? Same deal as Flagg. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on ice.

• Roster also features one my bigger draft crushes Carter Bryant, former Hornet Nathan Mensah who is actually listed as “Nate Mensah” and Jameer Nelson’s son, Jameer Nelson Jr.

The Deal

Sign up this 4th of July Weekend and get 20% of a year membership. Membership gives you access to:

• Member only game chats

• FULL Gamenotes on every game

• Access to specials like gametape reviews I’ll be doing this summer

• The satisfaction of knowing you are a true Hornets sicko

Big Questions/Storylines

Ready Rookies? The Hornets drafted 4 players in the NBA Draft and they join a Hornets roster that is suddenly stacked with NBA level talent. Kon Knueppel will be there to begin earning a starting or serious role in the rotation. Ryan Kalkbrenner plays at the thinnest position on the roster and could secure a rotation spot with solid play.

Sophomores Slipping? The Hornets have acquired a LOT of NBA level depth over the past few days and haven’t shipped much out. That leaves roles for recent draft picks KJ Simpson and Tidjane Salaun very much in question.

Will they go for it again? We praised the Hornets last season for actually building a roster that could function and compete in these exhibitions. Will they take the next step and actually compete for a championship. There’s a lot of talent on the roster and really only one guy in Kon Knueppel who I could see the team sitting early. This could be the year. The Hornets haven’t won a lot in 35+ years so I’m going to allow myself to be irrationally happy about a trophy (do they hand one out?) of any kind if it comes. I’m sick.

Roster Profiles

Forwards / Wings

• Kon Knueppel (Duke)

  Profile: Hornets 2025 first-round pick (4). Knockdown shooter with high basketball IQ and underrated physicality.

  Projected Summer League Role: Key scorer and creator. Expect plenty of on-ball reps and catch-and-shoot opportunities. I’ll be watching how well he can defend in space.

• Tidjane Salaün (Cholet, France)