Going into this season, there’s optimism around the Charlotte Hornets that hasn’t been felt in years. They just clinched their first-ever NBA Summer League championship and their crop of draft picks look promising. If this optimism is warranted, it means some of the current roster will have to make a sizable jump in production. The big question: Who will make the leap?

Barring injury, we know what level of production Charlotte will get from the star duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, consistent scoring from both, with Ball carrying high upside and the potential to make his second All-Star appearance. Even with Ball and Miller potentially having career seasons, it won’t push Charlotte forward without a consistent third option.

The rookie class showed plenty of encouraging signs in Summer League, led by first‑round picks Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeely. Knueppel capped the run by earning Summer League Finals MVP honors with 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the championship game, knocking down a clutch three-pointer and free throw in the final 32 seconds to seal the Hornets’ victory. McNeely delivered off the bench in the opener with a 22‑point, 12‑rebound, six‑assist effort that gave a glimpse of his all‑around game. Both demonstrated they’ll be able to contribute immediately and complement Ball and Miller.

The player with the biggest upside is last year’s No. 6 overall pick, Tidjane Salaün. During his rookie campaign, he flashed potential but struggled, averaging 5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on only 33% shooting from the field. Entering his sophomore season, Salaün looks noticeably stronger and has shown improvements in shooting, pace of play, and overall decision-making throughout the Summer League. He could evolve into a 12-points-per-game, seven-rebounds-per-game type of player who can defend on the perimeter and be a double-double threat. With Ball as the floor general and Miller as the versatile scoring wing, Charlotte needs Salaün to fill that role as a high-energy forward guarding multiple positions, crashing the boards and running the floor. It eases the load on Ball and Miller but also raises the Hornets’ ceiling from a fringe play-in team to a squad that could potentially surprise the wide open Eastern Conference.