yahoo
The Charlotte Hornets made a decisive roster move by waiving veteran Pat Connaughton just before their final preseason game, a transaction that carries implications beyond simply filling a roster spot. By choosing to part ways with the seasoned guard, the franchise signaled a clear commitment to its youth movement, keeping 2024 No. 6 overall pick Tidjane Salaun and fellow youngster Liam McNeeley on the standard 15-man roster.
Just days before the cut, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Charlotte preferred to retain Connaughton, a move that would have jeopardized Salaun's spot. Ultimately, the front office charted a different course, prioritizing the development of its young talent over the stability of a veteran presence.
Why Salaun and McNeeley Survived
The Hornets entered the preseason with 16 players on standard contracts and needed to reduce to the league maximum of 15. Rather than sacrifice one of their developing players, the decision-makers elected to move on from Connaughton, ensuring Salaun and McNeeley remain in the fold. Salaun, despite modest production thus far, retains his roster spot, while McNeeley—also identified by Fischer as potentially vulnerable—earns a chance to prove his worth.
Both players still have much to demonstrate, but Charlotte has chosen to invest in their growth rather than in a veteran whose contributions were likely to be limited. Connaughton averaged just 2.6 points in roughly seven minutes per game last season, though Fischer noted his valuable locker-room presence and rapport with teammate Kon Knueppel. Those intangibles gave the Hornets reason to keep him, but the organization ultimately decided to move forward without him.
Development Over Locker-Room Comfort
By retaining Salaun and McNeeley, the Hornets gain additional time to evaluate two young players whose roles could expand if they develop as hoped. For a team still determining the ceiling of its young core, the logic is sound: Connaughton offers experience and stability, but Charlotte prefers to see whether Salaun and McNeeley can become more impactful contributors over time.
However, keeping the pair does not guarantee either a long-term role. Both must prove they can produce consistently at the NBA level. Salaun holds career averages of 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds on 38.5 percent shooting across 97 regular-season games. His preseason offered a mixed bag: a six-point, 2-of-7 shooting effort with three turnovers in 28 minutes against Brooklyn, followed by a 16-point outburst on 5-of-9 shooting (including four three-pointers) in 22 minutes versus Boston. Overall, he averaged 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 turnovers in 23 minutes per game over four preseason appearances, with shooting splits of 40/33.3/71.4.
McNeeley faces a similar challenge. Staying on the roster grants him another opportunity to establish himself, but he must translate that chance into meaningful production. During the preseason, he shot the ball well from deep, averaging 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals over four games. Eight of his 11 field goals were three-pointers (2.0 per game), and he posted shooting splits of 36.7/40/70.
The Last Word
Waiving Connaughton boiled down to a choice between keeping a veteran valued for his experience and giving two younger players more time to develop. Charlotte chose the latter. That decision could pay off if Salaun and McNeeley evolve into dependable rotation players. If their progress stalls, the Hornets may eventually have to reconsider how much patience they can afford. For now, both players have a chance to make their case on the court—and what they do with it will determine whether Charlotte made the right call.
Originally reported by yahoo.