Charlotte waives Pat Connaughton after trading Tyus Jones
The Charlotte Hornets, as a result of their busy trade deadline maneuvering, they had to do household chores. Forced to give up players after their job, they decided to cut a veteran guard Pat Connaughton loose, as reported by ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel.
Connaughton has played in just 22 games for the Hornets this season, averaging just seven minutes per game – his fewest since his rookie campaign in 2015-16. Now 33, it’s not entirely clear how much Connaughton has left in the tank, and he ends up being a victim for the Hornets after they brought in a bunch of guards.
The Hornets recently acquired Kobe White and Mike Conley for a package of Colin Sexton, Usman Dieng and three second-round picks, and then doubled down even more on the point guard, acquiring Tyus Jones and two second-round picks in the Orlando Magic salary dump.
The Hornets now employ the following guards on their roster: LaMelo Ball, Conn Knuepel, White, Conley, Jones, Tre Mann, Zion James and Josh Green. This leaves no room for Connaughton on the roster, and the Hornets had to act to make their replacement for Jones official.
Given the glut of guards the Hornets have on the roster, one would think they aren’t done making moves just yet.
The Hornets need to solve the backfield jams
The Hornets are expected to use White in the role they used Sexton, so it’s similar to a replacement in the rotation. Off the bench, they relied on James and Green to back up Knuepel and Miller, meaning there isn’t much room for Conley and Jones on the roster.
If the Hornets were to keep one, it would most likely be Jones. Conley is a respected veteran in the league, and may prefer to sign with a contender instead of the upstart Hornets. There is even a chance that Conley is once again linked with the Minnesota Timberwolvestechnically speaking, it is no longer his former employer.
2026-02-05 05:04:00
