After the Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball trade over the summer, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel became their cornerstones. The Hornets are expected to extend Miller's contract ahead of the upcoming season. Trading Ball not only made Miller and Knueppel the team's pillars, but it also yielded future draft capital.

The Hornets' blockbuster trade prioritized long-term plans over short-term success, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, per The Hoop Collective.

“They assessed what they had last year, and it was an extremely exciting last few months of the regular season. We're talking about Buzz City Killers and all that. But they decided, hey, we don't believe in this team as a team that can do any kind of real damage,” MacMahon said. “Actions says we don't believe in LaMelo Ball as a franchise centerpiece. They got his value up to the point where they can get a first-round pick in return, and they pulled the trigger.

“They didn't do that thinking it was going to make them better this season. They did that thinking that it would allow them to build a team that they did believe could do some real damage in the playoffs. But that's not this year. It's probably not next year.”

For MacMahon, the Hornets' offseason trade is a precursor to a brighter future down the road.

“They're loaded with picks,” MacMahon added. “They've got the Mavericks' [pick] unless it's top 2. They've got their own moving forward. They've got the Heat's lottery-protected this year. And the moves they made this summer: they got off of LaMelo Ball, they got a 2033 pick from Minnesota, which who knows, that's got potential upside though, and they got off Miles Bridges. They got a 2033 from Phoenix, which I've had people from other front offices tell me, “damn, I wish we had got to that pick.”

“Suns' future picks are considered to be high-upside picks. So, they really have a significant haul of draft capital to work with. But it's going to be a patient build around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.”

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On the Hornets making a significant long-term move with Brandon Miller, ESPN's Brian Windhorst agreed with MacMahon.

“It seems like they are maybe taking a step sideways to retrofit their roster,” Windhorst said. “They want to invest in Brandon Miller. They're going to try to get him into a contract by Monday, an extension. Obviously, they think a lot of Kon [Kuneppel]. I don't think they're going to win 44 games again.”

After beating the Memphis Grizzlies, 116-98, the Hornets will face the Brooklyn Nets in their preseason opener on Wednesday.