Hornets pick up 2027-28 options on Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley, with Tidjane Salaun’s decision still to come

The Charlotte Hornets have exercised their third-year rookie-scale options on Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley, the team announced Sunday. Knueppel will earn about $11 million in 2027-28 and McNeeley approximately $3 million.

Knueppel, the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, finished a close second in Rookie of the Year voting last season. McNeeley, picked 25th in 2025, has played a modest role early in his career. Charlotte has until November 1, 2027 to decide on fourth-year options for both wings.

The announcement did not mention Tidjane Salaun, the sixth pick in 2024, whose $10.4 million fourth-year option decision is due by Monday’s league deadline; whether the Hornets will pick it up has not been confirmed. Salaun is averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes through six games this season.

Earlier option coverage: Hawks pick up Asa Newell’s $3.56 million option for 2027-28.