And for the Charlotte Hornets, this year has quietly become one of the most encouraging seasons the franchise has had in a long time.

Start in Greensboro.

The Greensboro Swarm made the NBA G League playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That matters more than it sounds. It’s evidence that player development, continuity, and organizational vision are finally syncing up. For years, the Hornets’ pipeline felt disconnected. Now, it looks intentional.

Then came the summer.

Charlotte winning the NBA Summer League title for the first time wasn’t just a fun headline — it was a signal. Draft picks and young players didn’t just flash talent, they executed, defended, and played winning basketball together. Summer League trophies don’t hang in rafters, but cultures often start there.

And that draft class? It looks like a hit — across the board. Liam McNeely, Sion James, and Ryan Kalkbrenner have all contributed way more than just your average rookies do.

Headlining it is Kon Knueppel, who has already blown past the “nice rookie story” label. Knueppel isn’t just playing well for a first-year guy — he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA right now, period. His confidence, efficiency, and ability to stretch defenses have translated immediately, something this franchise has struggled to find for years.

Kon Knueppel appears to be neck and neck with his college roommate, Cooper Flagg, for NBA Rookie of the Year.

That’s what separates this season from past rebuild attempts. This doesn’t feel theoretical. It feels tangible.

There’s still work to do. The Hornets aren’t finished. They aren’t perfect. But for the first time in a while, progress is visible at every level — development, drafting, coaching, and identity.

From Greensboro to Vegas to Spectrum Center, the Hornets finally look like an organization moving in the same direction.

And that’s how real rebuilds actually begin.