Hornets expected to waive $52M NBA champion after acquiring Dennis Schroder from Cavaliers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Charlotte Hornets have been more active than they have been in recent summers, trying to add veteran talent to their young roster. The future in Charlotte looks exciting, especially after the moves the team has made this offseason.
The Hornets were involved in an absolute blockbuster this summer, moving on from franchise star LaMelo Ball by trading him to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday. In addition to Reid, the Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also gets first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030,” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote.
On Friday afternoon, Charlotte was involved in another deal, acquiring another valuable veteran in Dennis Schröder.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading Dennis Schroder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann, sources told ESPN on Friday. In Schroder, Charlotte picks up an established veteran at point guard who has history with Hornets president Jeff Peterson and coach Charles Lee from his tenure in Atlanta at the start of his career,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
However, even after the trade, the Hornets are over the roster limit, with 17 players currently under contract. That means Charlotte will eventually have to make another move. NBA writer Jake Weinbach believes NBA champion Pat Connaughton could be the player who gets waived.
“The Hornets are currently above the roster limit with 17 players under contract. Pat Connaughton is a likely waive candidate with a non-guaranteed contract, but additional moves are still expected to come from Charlotte ahead of next season,” Weinbach wrote.
Connaughton was a key piece of the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 championship team, helping the franchise defeat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. He provided valuable shooting and athleticism alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, often benefiting from the open looks created by the superstar.
Connaughton has earned $52 million throughout his career. If Charlotte ultimately waives the veteran, it would give him an opportunity to find another team and continue his career elsewhere.
For the Hornets, however, the roster crunch is not over. Charlotte still needs to make at least one more move to get under the roster limit before the start of the season.
More NBA news:
Lakers hit with brutal sign and trade update for ex-Warriors NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga
Cavaliers reportedly have $62M final hurdle to land 23-year old NBA champion Peyton Watson
Lakers, Cavaliers get massive update on ex-Warriors Jonathan Kuminga, Nuggets' Peyton Watson
Rockets predicted to flip Fred VanVleet for $197M former No. 1 pick to pair with Kevin Durant