Coby White says his new point guard role starts with creating quality shots for Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller while remaining aggressive himself.
Coby White said Monday at Charlotte Hornets media day that his first job as the starting point guard is finding shots for Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, who he expects to draw the other team's best defenders most nights.
White takes over the position from LaMelo Ball, whom Charlotte traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 25. Ball averaged 7.3 assists across 303 games with the Hornets.
Chicago spent last preseason preparing White for a combo guard role next to Josh Giddey. He has changed his film routine for this one.
White Adjusting Mindset for Point Guard Role
White knows his responsibilities have changed. He still wants to play aggressively, but he also has to account for the talent around him and put teammates in position to score.
"I think it definitely changes the mindset a little bit, right?" White said. "You can't sit here and say, like, I'm just going to be, do the same thing I've done over the years when that hasn't technically been my role. But I think I'm ready for it. Like I said, it's obviously something that I got to have grace with myself for. But like I said, I have the utmost belief in myself and I'm excited."
"Obviously, like I said, I got a lot more on my plate now," White continued. "I still got to be aggressive, got to still be who I am, but also be cognizant of others out there with me on the court. And there's super talented players with me on the court now. So I got to figure out ways to get those guys the ball when they need it. I got to figure out ways to get those guys shots when they need shots. So it's exciting."
"I think this overall experience is going to help me become a way better player than I was the past couple years of my career," White added. "So I'm excited for the challenge ahead. And I got some stuff dialed up to change my routine a little bit in terms of film breakdown, film study, and those type of things. I've been working with assistant Lamar Skeeter a lot, so he's been really good for me getting to know him. And we already started that open dialogue since the summer about what's needed for me and how do I best fit this role to help the team win. So I'm excited. Like I said, it's going to be a challenge, but ain't nothing I ain't never seen before."
Skeeter has been Hornets coach Charles Lee's lead assistant since May 2024. He spent a decade with the Utah Jazz before that, rising from a player development coach to a lead assistant, after starting with the Canton Charge and working as a player development coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Lee, a former Boston Celtics assistant, is entering his third season.
White Has Already Shown He Can Create for Others
White averaged a career-high 5.1 assists for Chicago in 2023-24, when he finished second in Most Improved Player voting. In 2024-25, he averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists.
He was averaging 21.2 points and 5.2 assists through the early part of last season before calf trouble limited him in Chicago, and the Bulls traded him to Charlotte in February.
Knueppel made 273 3-pointers as a rookie, the most in the NBA and a rookie record, and shot 42.5% from deep. Knueppel said during his session Monday that the Hornets also want him creating offense for others this season.
Miller averaged 20.2 points to lead the Hornets in 65 starts, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range and 89.2% at the free-throw line.
White Wants Knueppel and Miller in Their Best Spots
White has already been talking actions with the starters. He believes the combination of shooting, versatility and basketball IQ around him should make the transition easier.
"I think it'll make my job easier with a level of shot making and unique ability that each one has," White explained. "Obviously, Kon's historic three-point shooting season. Brandon's so versatile. Naz, he's versatile. Moussa does what he does. I think it'll make my job a lot easier. And then you add in the fact that these guys have such high IQs for the game that it makes my job easier, man."
"Like I said, it's open dialogue between us about what we feel is working, what we don't feel is working," White detailed. "And we've already started that open dialogue in terms of what we're seeing and how we view certain actions, what actions you like, what actions you don't like. So that dialogue has already started. So now it's just about going out there and executing. And it starts with me, obviously, right?"
White expects Knueppel and Miller to see the toughest perimeter matchups most nights. That makes finding the right spots for both players one of his primary responsibilities.
"But like I said, they're super talented, bro," White noted. "It makes my job a lot easier. Knowing that, most nights, obviously, Kon and B-Mill gonna have the best defenders on them. And for me, it's just, how do I get those guys in spots to where they're most effective, while still being aggressive and still being who I am."
Naz Reid, 27, acquired in the Ball trade, averaged 13.6 points and shot 36.2% from 3-point range for Minnesota last season. Moussa Diabaté won the league's Hustle Award, and his 3.7 offensive rebounds per game ranked fifth in the NBA.
Knueppel is out for the preseason with a hamstring injury, and Miller is back from May 6 shoulder surgery.
The Hornets went 44-38 last season and lost to the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament. White, who played 21 games for Charlotte after the trade, signed his three-year, $74 million contract in July.
White's calf delayed his Charlotte debut until Feb. 24. His first camp with Charlotte opens Tuesday at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
