Hornets Expressing Interest in NCAA All-Region Guard

The Charlotte Hornets have some big decisions to make on Tuesday night as they hold the 14th and 18th overall picks in the NBA Draft.

NBA insider Jake Fisher recently linked Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz to the Hornets. Stirtz is coming off a great season at Iowa, as he averaged 19.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 47.7 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three.

Stirtz could be a quality guard off the bench alongside Coby White if they re-sign him in free agency.

White was a key piece for Charlotte after he was acquired at the trade deadline, as he averaged 18.6 points per game along with 3.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists, shooting 43.8 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from behind the arc.

A backcourt of Stirtz and White off the bench behind LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel could help the Hornets make it into the postseason in the 2026-27 season.

Ball and Knueppel have proved to be core pieces for the Hornets, as Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from deep.

Knueppel played well in his rookie season, as he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from distance.

Another player who has become a core piece for the team is forward Brandon Miller. Miller is a budding star, as he averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from downtown.

Charlotte narrowly missed out on the playoffs in the 2025-26 season, finishing with a 44-38 record and falling to the Orlando Magic in the second game of the Play-In Tournament. 

If Stirtz is on the board for the Hornets with the 14th or 18th overall pick, they should consider selecting him.

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