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The Charlotte Hornets have officially parted ways with veteran shooting guard Pat Connaughton, waiving him after just one season with the organization. The decision was first reported by ESPN senior insider Shams Charania.
Connaughton, 33, was acquired by the Hornets from the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025 and appeared in 42 games for Charlotte, posting averages of 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds. He was the only player on the Hornets' roster on a non-guaranteed contract, a detail previously noted by ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, who anticipated the move in his 2026 NBA Training Camp preview last month.
As the Hornets prepare to open the 2026-27 NBA season on Wednesday, October 21 at Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets, head coach Charles Lee is grappling with mounting injury concerns. Center Naz Reid has stepped up as a leader on a youthful roster that has now moved on from one of its most recognizable veterans.
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Charlotte's backcourt is particularly thin, with rising star Kon Knueppel expected to miss early games due to a hamstring injury and Coby White also dealing with a rough diagnosis. Young forward Brandon Miller is also battling injury issues, which could place additional pressure on frontcourt mates Reid and Moussa Diabate early in the season.
The Hornets, a team in transition, apparently decided they would be better off without Connaughton despite his championship pedigree and track record of success at the NBA level. The question now is whether another team will take a chance on the former Bucks three-point specialist as the league approaches opening night.
Originally reported by yahoo.