Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Liam McNeeley stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 29th pick by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Can Liam McNeeley avoid becoming a career backup for Charlotte Hornets?

Originally posted on Charlotte Hornets on SI
By Thomas Gorski | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 11:18 AM ET

The Charlotte Hornets are heading into the upcoming season with more buzz than they’ve had in years. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Pederson wasted no time shaking things up, putting together one of the most intriguing offseasons in recent memory.

He brought in Collin Sexton and Pat Connaughton through trades, dealt big man Mark Williams for two future first-round picks, and added four rookies in the draft.

Two of those rookies — Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley — were first-rounders, and both are expected to take on meaningful roles right away. The young core is clearly in place, but the next challenge is figuring out how all the pieces fit.

Knueppel, a top-five pick, may open the season as a sixth man, but his shooting and feel for the game should get him into the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

McNeeley’s role is a little harder to pin down. The former UConn standout has the size and skill to eventually be compared to someone like Franz Wagner, but he’s still raw and will need time to adjust.

His length and versatility give the Hornets plenty of options — whether as a defensive wing, a secondary playmaker, or a floor spacer — but how quickly he adapts to the NBA’s speed and physicality will determine his trajectory.

With Sexton’s energy, Knueppel’s polish, and McNeeley’s upside, Charlotte finally has the foundation of a roster that balances present competitiveness with long-term potential.

Now it’s less about talent acquisition and more about turning all that promise into production — and proving this new era of Hornets basketball is ready to take flight.

Can Liam McNeeley develop into a franchise-building block?

Right now, the answer isn’t so clear — and part of that has less to do with McNeeley’s talent and more to do with roster logistics.

With Brandon Miller firmly in the starting lineup, it will be tough for McNeeley to claim a regular starting role immediately. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a difference-maker.

Could he become one of the league’s most valuable sixth men? Absolutely.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have used this approach for years with players like Naz Reid, who fit perfectly into their young core without logging consistent starter minutes. If the Hornets hit on their young core and stars, head coach Charles Lee could follow a similar path.

There’s also the long-term possibility that the Hornets decide not to extend Miller or move him in a trade. That would open the door for McNeeley to step into a larger role down the line.

Whether McNeeley settles in as a top-notch sixth man or works his way into the starting lineup, he’s got the tools to be a key piece for the Hornets. With his size, skill, and versatility, Charlotte has a lot of options to plug him in around their young stars.

If everything clicks, McNeeley could grow into a player the team leans on for years — the kind of guy a young franchise can really build around.