The Charlotte Hornets are clearly a step above where they were last season. Last night's frustrating loss on the road to a top team in the East is evidence of t

Through the early portion of the season, Knueppel leads all rookies in scoring while producing standout efficiency. He is shooting 46.5% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 88.2% from the free-throw line — numbers rarely seen from a rookie wing in his first NBA campaign.

This season, Charlotte sits 14th in offensive rating. In the last four games without Ball, they have slid to 19th. The Hornets are used to missing Ball, and the offensive rating has struggled over the years without his shot creation for himself and for his teammates.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/hornets/onsi as Moussa Diabate's growth has been pivotal for the Charlotte Hornets. Coming into the season, the center rotation for the Charlotte Hornets was a heavy question mark.

On Oct. 22, Charlotte tipped off the season with a 136-117 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, with Miller contributing 25 points and seven assists. But three days later, after playing 9:14 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Miller left the game, which the Hornets lost 125-121, and he has not played since.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder will face Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets on the road at 6 p.m. Saturday.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/hornets/onsi as Charlotte Hornets listed as possible Zach LaVine trade destination. This is not the start to the NBA season that the Charlotte Hornets were looking for.

This is the first of four matchups this season against the Hornets as the Raptors try to keep their winning streak going