The Charlotte Hornets have waived Pat Connaughton on October 16, 2026, ending a brief second spell with the club and leaving Charlotte with 15 players before the season. It was a move that had looked increasingly likely, with Connaughton appearing to be the odd man out in Charlotte for some time.
For a veteran wing who had joined the Hornets on a two-year, veteran's minimum contract after being waived and then re-signed in February 2026, the decision brings a second clear roster reset in the same year. It also removes the only standard-contract salary on the books that was non-guaranteed, which made the situation straightforward once Charlotte had decided on its preferred group.
Why the Hornets moved on
Connaughton had barely featured in Charlotte. He played in just 42 games in his first season with the Hornets, averaging 7.1 minutes per game, and then appeared in two preseason games in the fall of 2026. In that limited role, the club seemed to value him more as a steady presence than as a regular rotation option.
That split the difference on his Charlotte stay. He rarely played, but he was still seen as a locker room leader for a young team that exceeded expectations. Even so, that kind of influence is harder to justify when roster spots tighten and a team settles on its core before opening night.
A veteran career that changed course
Connaughton, now 33, was selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2015 draft and first built his NBA career after spending three years in Portland. He then signed with Milwaukee in the 2018 offseason and became part of a deeper contender, later playing an important bench role when the Bucks won their first championship in 50 years in 2021.
His journey also reflected the business side of the league. In the 2025 offseason, the Bucks attached a couple of second-round picks to shed Connaughton's salary, and that moved him into the next phase of his career. Charlotte gave him another chance in February 2026, but the fit never truly became long-term.
What Connaughton gave Charlotte
The numbers from his Charlotte stint underline the limited role. In 42 appearances, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting.438/.357/.767. Across his NBA career, he has played 637 regular season games with 72 starts, averaging 18.4 minutes per game.
That is a solid body of work for a player who has adapted to several different roles. But in Charlotte, the Hornets clearly decided that what he offered was no longer the best use of a roster spot. With 15 players now on the books, the team has settled into its opening-night picture and moved on from a veteran whose place had become increasingly uncertain.
