Locked On Hornets - Daily Podcast On The Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets’ win total is out — and Locked On Hornets is ready to make the call. Doug and Walker react to Charlotte's 25.5 over/under line and whether this new-look squad has what it takes to surpass expectations. Can Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, and Kon Knueppel bring the steady guard play LaMelo Ball needs? Is Brandon Miller ready to be a legit No. 2 option? And what should we expect if LaMelo doesn’t take that next step?

Speaking of Kon Knueppel, he’s making headlines with his performance and poise — both on and off the court. The guys dive into Knueppel’s recent SportsCenter interview, where he revealed how he plans to fit alongside LaMelo, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller. Doug defends Kon’s Wisconsin-born food takes, while Walker declares war for the honor of Carolina BBQ and Krispy Kreme.

Later, the crew asks if new head coach Charles Lee is already under pressure, and how important it is for the Hornets to make a leap — not just in wins, but in identity. If the Hornets finish with 26 wins, what does that really say about this front office, the roster, and LaMelo's long-term future?

It’s an episode packed with bold takes, hot food takes, and a critical look at the Hornets’ trajectory.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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As Summer League tips off, we're looking back at the Charlotte Hornets’ pivotal offseason. From shrewd veteran trades to a draft that may define the franchise’s future, we rank the best and worst moves—starting with a clear winner: the Collin Sexton trade. Doug argues that Sexton gives Charlotte a legitimate scoring punch, bench stability, and signals a new level of seriousness in team-building.

But is the entire draft class, from Kon Knueppel to Ryan Kalkbrenner, actually the true crown jewel? Walker thinks so—and praises the front office for locking down four competitive prospects on real contracts. Plus, Tre Mann returns on a team-friendly deal, and we explain why that move may quietly prove brilliant.

Then, we dig into the worst move. Is Mason Plumlee's $3M contract harmless veteran insurance—or a regressive roster clog? And did the Hornets waste their late first-rounder on Liam McNeely instead of shoring up their big rotation with Maxime Raynaud or Noah Penda?

Finally, we preview Summer League standouts—why all eyes are on Kon Knueppel, and whether any Hornets fans are feeling Ace Bailey envy.
Don't miss this jam-packed episode of Locked On Hornets.

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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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The Hornets had a BUSY post-holiday stretch, signing veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie and locking in all four of their 2024 NBA Draft picks—putting the roster well over the legal limit. Doug and Walker look at the impact of Dinwiddie’s one-year deal, praise the front office for handing out guaranteed contracts to second-round picks Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, and try to predict who’s on the chopping block as the team prepares to cut down. Is Josh Okogie a salary dump candidate? Does Pat Connaughton’s connection to Charles Lee keep him safe? And what’s the plan for Nick Smith Jr.?

With 19 players under contract and only 15 standard spots allowed, roster moves are inevitable—and the guys sort through the likeliest paths forward. Plus, we get into why this Summer League roster might be the most talented Charlotte’s ever assembled. From top-34 picks to returning prospects like Tidjane Salaun and K.J. Simpson, the squad is built to compete—and potentially dominate—in Vegas.

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Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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NOTE: This was taped live Tuesday night, details may have changed. 

The Charlotte Hornets have officially signed Tre Mann to a three‑year, $24 million deal as the 2025 NBA free agency kicked off. 

After averaging a career‑high 14.1 points, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds over 13 games last season—before a herniated disc sidelined him—Mann is back in the Hornets’ backcourt alongside new addition Collin Sexton.

Charlotte originally declined to extend his $6.94 million qualifying offer, making Mann an unrestricted free agent—but flipped the script the very next day, securing him to a new deal. At 24, Mann showed meltdowns of scoring brilliance—shooting 43.5% from the floor and 40% from three—and now he’s set to bring bench scoring and playmaking to the revamped roster.

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Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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The Charlotte Hornets brought back Mason Plumlee on a one-year, $3 million deal—and fans are split on whether it’s a savvy depth move or another step backward. Doug and Walker dive into all the layers of the signing, from the nostalgia factor to the very real concerns about Plumlee's age and effectiveness. Is this front office serious about moving forward, or just treading familiar water?

The center position remains murky with Mark Williams gone and no clear starter emerging. What does this mean for young bigs like Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner? And is there still a swing left for Myles Turner or another center on the market?

Plus, the Hornets let Tre Mann hit unrestricted free agency despite his promise before injury. Why didn’t they extend the qualifying offer, and what does it say about the market for guards like Mann in this new CBA landscape? We also get an update on Josh Okogie’s non-guaranteed contract and what his status means for future trades—could it be a signal of something bigger?

We finish by talking about the roster crunch and how it could impact new draft picks like Sion James and Liam McNeeley. The Hornets have options—but not much clarity.

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Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Hornets fans are still buzzing after the team acquired Collin Sexton, and we’re here to unpack every angle of the deal. In this episode, we explore why this might be the most exciting “build-up” trade Charlotte has made in over a decade—and how it fits into Jeff Peterson’s new vision for the franchise. We weigh the pros and cons of starting Sexton next to LaMelo Ball and discuss whether Charles Lee can maximize this high-powered but defensively questionable backcourt.

The deadline for Josh Okogie is here, and we debate if his wing defense is too important to let go—especially with the uncertainty around Josh Green’s health. Plus, we dive into the Trey Mann situation and whether the Hornets should use cap space to retain him or prioritize defensive versatility elsewhere.

At the center position, we go through potential targets like Day’Ron Sharpe, Thomas Bryant, Luke Kornet, and even briefly entertain the idea of Deandre Ayton (spoiler: it’s a hard no). We explain why some names fit the Hornets’ new identity and why others don’t pass the culture test.

Finally, we consider a conspiracy theory that ties the draft-day Ace Bailey drama to the Sexton deal—and why the Jazz might have handed the Hornets a gift. Join us for a jam-packed episode full of insight, speculation, and a few broken sports-brain tangents.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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The Hornets did something—finally—and it was good. In this emergency episode, we break down Charlotte’s trade for Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick in exchange for Yusuf Nurkic. Sexton brings juice to the backup point guard spot and a skillset the team hasn’t had since the Jeremy Lin days. But what does it mean for Tre Mann, who Jeff Peterson just called a “priority,” or for K.J. Simpson and Nick Smith Jr., who now seem squeezed out of the rotation?

We react live to the trade and go full rotation autopsy, sorting through the guard glut that includes LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Sion James, and possibly Liam McNeeley. Is this the first domino of many, or a standalone move to stabilize the roster? We even explore whether this raises real questions about LaMelo’s long-term fit.

Plus: What kind of center should the Hornets target next—cheap vet, big swing, or Luke Kornet fan favorite? We throw around free agent names like Andre Drummond and Daniel Gafford, debate the Sexton fit with Charles Lee’s offense, and give you all the numbers you need to know on his shooting, downhill scoring, and contract. The vibes are finally trending up—come join the party. Sickos, mount up.

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH

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We dig into one of the smartest, most cohesive drafts we’ve seen from Charlotte in a long time. Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Liam McNeely—it’s a group that actually makes sense together and fits what LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller need to take the next step.

We break down how Knueppel’s IQ, passing, and shooting gravity could unlock the offense, why Sion James already looks like an NBA-ready defender with a clean shooting track record, and how Kalkbrenner might be the best drop coverage big in the entire class. We also talk about the balance of younger and older rookies, and what that means for the Hornets' rotation in 2025.

Plus, we react to Jeff Peterson’s comments about bringing Tre Mann back—what that means for the bench unit and how it plays into Charlotte’s potential free agency and trade plans. Are they quietly preparing for a big move?

We close it out by looking ahead to Summer League and asking the big question: are we finally watching a front office that knows what it’s doing? After years of head-scratching picks and mismatched rosters, this draft actually feels like it aligns with Charles Lee’s vision. That’s a weird, but very good feeling.

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The Charlotte Hornets' draft night was anything but quiet — and we've got all the reaction. Jeff Peterson was working the phones, but with no deal materializing to trade down, the Hornets locked in Kon Knueppel at #4. Hosts Walker Mehl, Doug Branson, and guest Nata Edwards debate whether Knueppel's high-IQ, footwork-heavy, two-way skill set justifies the pick, especially with more explosive players like Tre Johnson and Ace Bailey still available.

Then came the shocker: Mark Williams was traded — again. This time it stuck, and the Hornets flipped him to Phoenix for the 29th pick (used on Liam McNeeley), a future first, and Vasilije Micić. The crew breaks down why this trade was a savvy asset grab, even if Williams’ potential remains intriguing.

They dive deep into McNeely’s upside as a shooter, his injury-plagued season at UConn, and why he might need G-League seasoning before becoming a contributor. They also preview second-round targets like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Maxime Raynaud, and how they could fill the looming center void.

From big-picture philosophical debates about fit vs. best player available, to how Charles Lee’s offensive vision is finally taking shape — this is your all-in-one breakdown of a massive night for the Hornets’ future.

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Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets

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Get Doug's gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com

Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM

Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter

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Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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