2026 Hornets Fan Survey Results | Part 2

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:33:06 GMT

If you missed PART 1 of the 2026 Hornets fan survey results, find them HERE

This is the fifth edition of my annual Hornets fan survey. You can find the previous results here: 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

For anyone new, I run this survey every offseason to take the pulse of Hornets fans and get their perspective on the biggest questions facing the franchise. Looking back at last year’s responses is always a reminder of how quickly things can change. Only 36% of fans believed Kon Knueppel would be a starter, while 56% voted the Nurkić-for-Sexton-plus-a-second-round-pick trade as the team’s best move of the offseason.

This year’s survey produced the biggest response yet, with 637 participants, making it the largest public-facing Hornets fan survey available.

Who is your favorite Charlotte Hornets player?

Analysis: Analysis: A year ago this was essentially a two-horse race. LaMelo Ball topped the poll with 36% of the vote, while Brandon Miller was close behind on 34%.

Fast forward 12 months and Kon Knueppel has surged from just 6% of the vote to become the team’s most popular player at 38%, finishing an impressive 14 percentage points clear of the field. After an outstanding rookie season, it begs the question: has Knueppel already become the new face of the franchise?

Miller holds onto second place, but only just. What was once a two-player battle has become a three-way race thanks to the rise of fan favorite Moussa Diabate, who jumped from 6% to 21% following his breakout campaign.

It’s unusual for a low-usage player who doesn’t fill highlight reels to become this beloved, but “The Moose" has relentless energy and an infectious personality that have clearly made him Charlotte’s latest cult hero.

Who is your least favorite Charlotte Hornets player?

Analysis: College rivalries run deep. It’s been 12 years since Grayson Allen walked into Cameron Indoor Stadium and cemented himself as the most disliked figures in college basketball. Time appears to have softened some of those feelings, but not entirely.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s high placement is easier to explain. After arriving via trade this offseason, many fans expect him to be moved again or not remain part of Charlotte’s long-term plans. Without any emotional investment in him, he’s an easy selection for voters who don’t have strong feelings toward other players.

Tidjane Salaun’s appearance reflects growing frustration among sections of the fanbase. The sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft remains an intriguing prospect, but inconsistency and limited playing time have left many fans waiting for a breakthrough that hasn’t yet arrived.

Perhaps the most surprising name on the list is hometown favorite Grant Williams. Yes, he’s battled injuries and carries a salary some fans view as excessive, but he’s also a respected veteran leader whose connection to Charlotte is genuine. Williams is unapologetically himself, whether he’s talking golf, chess, or trading cards. Maybe those hobbies simply aren’t everyone’s cup of tea?

Which player is the best candidate for MIP?

Analysis: Brandon Miller has spent much of the offseason among the betting favorites for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, and fans clearly agree. The profile fits: a former high lottery pick entering his fourth season, a likely increase in responsibility, and a 2025-26 campaign that was impacted by injury.

The biggest question is health. Miller’s offseason rehab has limited his basketball activity, and missing valuable development time could make his path to a breakout season more challenging.

My personal pick would be Coby White, and a portion of the fanbase agrees. White already knows Charles Lee’s system, showed flashes after arriving in Charlotte despite dealing with groin and calf injuries, and should benefit from playing alongside elite floor spacers such as Knueppel, Miller, and Reid. The conditions are there for a career year.

Reid is another compelling candidate. After years in Minnesota, he’ll have a much larger offensive role in Charlotte. How quickly he adapts to a new city, coaching staff, and system may determine whether he becomes a legitimate breakout contender.

Knueppel’s inclusion is interesting because he was already so productive as a rookie. To win MIP, he’d likely need to make an All-Star caliber leap. Given his habit of exceeding expectations in high school, college and his rookie year, counting him out would be unwise.

How confident are you in Charles Lee?

Analysis: Last season was a defining one for Charles Lee. The Hornets exceeded expectations by turning a team projected to win 27.5 games into one of the NBA’s most exciting young groups, finishing 44-38 and earning widespread respect around the league.

That success came despite Brandon Miller playing through a significant shoulder injury and LaMelo Ball operating under a carefully managed minutes restriction.

With Charlotte finishing fifth in offensive rating and 11th defensively, Lee’s system consistently drew praise from opposing coaches, analysts, and executives. Unsurprisingly, fan confidence has skyrocketed.

Only 14% of respondents gave Lee a perfect score last year. That figure has more than doubled to 32%, while the percentage of fans scoring him a 1 or 2 dropped from 9% to just 3%. The numbers suggest Lee has largely won over the fanbase.

The next challenge is translating regular-season success into postseason results after disappointing performances in last year’s Play-In Tournament.

Who Should Start at Center?

Analysis: I almost didn’t include this question because the result felt inevitable.

Diabate firmly seized the starting role after Charlotte’s season turned around once he entered the lineup roughly 30 games into last year. His dominance in this poll reflects both his impact and popularity.

The biggest surprise is seeing Reid and Steinbach finish ahead of Kalkbrenner. While Kalkbrenner didn’t flash star potential as a rookie, he provided steady contributions and often looked more NBA-ready than many expected.

How satisfied are you with the Hornets new broadcasting deal to air all non-national TV games on WSOC Channel 9 & TV64?

Analysis: For years, accessibility has been the number one complaint raised by Hornets fans. This new broadcasting agreement appears to be a genuine attempt to fix that problem.

Rather than maximizing short-term revenue through a streaming partnership, Charlotte opted to place all non-nationally televised games on WSOC Channel 9 and TV64, dramatically increasing local availability. It’s a rare example of a franchise prioritizing fan access over immediate financial gain.

Many teams in similar situations chose streaming-first solutions. While those deals may have generated more revenue, the Hornets are betting that wider reach and stronger fan engagement will pay off over time.

The relatively small number of low-end satisfaction scores may stem from lingering uncertainty regarding television coverage elsewhere across North and South Carolina, details that remain unresolved.

Should the Hornets exercise their 27-28 Option ($10.4M) for Tidjane Salaun (Deadline Oct 31)

Analysis: Based purely on current production, Salaun has not performed at a level that justifies a $10.4 million option year.

At the same time, context matters. He’s only recently turned 21, is widely regarded as one of the hardest workers in the organization, and still possesses an appealing combination of size, shooting touch, downhill driving ability, and relentless energy.

The challenge is that Hornets fans have heard the “long-term project” argument before. Previous developmental bets such as Bismack Biyombo, Noah Vonleh, Alexis Ajinça, and Kai Jones ultimately failed to deliver the hoped-for returns, creating understandable skepticism.

I’m 50/50 on which way this will go, which isn’t far off where the poll ended up.

Most likely Hornets traded before/at the 2027 trade deadline?

Analysis: Fans clearly identified Charlotte’s crowded power forward rotation as the most likely source of a future trade.

Grant Williams leads the voting, which surprised me slightly. My choice would have been Royce O’Neale, although he does have guaranteed money for 27-28. Williams’ expiring contract could make him an attractive target for a playoff contender looking to add reliable frontcourt depth.

Dennis Schröder’s presence on the list is simply a bet on history. He’s played for 11 teams and been traded nine times throughout his career, making him one of the league’s most movable veterans. If Christian Anderson Jr. emerges or Charlotte acquires another primary ball-handler, Schröder could once again find himself involved in trade discussions.

Following the surprise LaMelo Ball trade this offseason, it’s difficult to completely rule out anyone being moved. The only player who currently feels close to untouchable is Kon Knueppel.

When will the Hornets next make the playoffs?

Analysis: Last year 30% of fans predicted the Hornets to make the playoffs despite a win over/under of 27.5. This year, only 24% predict them to make the playoffs with a win over/under of 37.5. That’s a surprising change, with future focused off-season moves and a stacked Eastern Conference presumably the drivers for the lack of optimisim. Interestingly 51% of fans last year thought the Hornets would make the playoffs in 2027, a similar number of 53% project Charlotte to make the playoffs the year after next again.

Who is your least favorite Charlotte Hornets player?

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