The Charlotte Hornets Final Cut: Who Will Be the Odd Man Out?
The Charlotte Hornets are just weeks away from the new NBA season, and there’s one last roster decision hanging over the team. After parting ways with DaQuan Jeffries and Nick Smith Jr., Charlotte sits at 19 players and has to get its roster down to 18 before the year begins. Every move counts, and this final cut is about more than just talent; it’s about fit, potential, and the team’s vision for the season. Making this choice is never easy, especially when balancing veterans with young, promising players.
Looking at the roster, it’s clear the Hornets are investing in youth while keeping a core of proven players. Young guys like Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, and Tidjane Salaun all have the potential to contribute relatively soon, while stars like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller carry the team on and off the court. Balancing experience with upside is the challenge the front office faces, and that balance will decide who makes the final cut. Every roster spot is valuable, and the last decision could define how the season begins.
The most likely candidate to be waived is veteran guard Pat Connaughton. At 32, he brings experience and a steady shooting touch, but his $9.4 million salary makes him a bigger commitment than the younger guards competing for minutes. Players like Collin Sexton, Josh Green, Tre Mann, Antonio Reeves, and rookie Kon Knueppel offer speed, versatility, and long-term upside, making them more appealing. While Connaughton could provide leadership, the Hornets may decide his role isn’t worth the cap space when it could go to developing younger wings.
Grant Williams and Josh Green might seem like potential candidates for the final cut, but both bring value that makes them unlikely to be waived. Williams provides versatility and toughness at the power forward spot, capable of guarding multiple positions and stretching the floor on offense, while Green offers athleticism and defensive upside on the wing, also serving as a secondary ball-handler to give Charlotte depth in the backcourt. Their youth and long-term potential make them very important to the team’s rotation, as seen in the games they missed due to injury last season, which leaves Connaughton as the more probable final cut.
If Connaughton is waived, Charlotte’s roster would be balanced and ready to compete while giving young players opportunities to grow. The backcourt would feature LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tre Mann, and KJ Simpson, supported by Antonio Reeves, Sion James, and Josh Green. Wings would include Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Liam McNeeley, while Grant Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Moussa Diabate, and Drew Peterson hold down the forward position. Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kalkbrenner provide size at center, rounding out a roster that mixes youth, athleticism, and veteran stability.
