RADIO
Coby White Returning to Hornets on Three-Year Deal
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. White is expected to step into a larger role after Charlotte agreed to trade LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid and draft capital. The 26-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 threes while shooting 44.6 percent from the field last season. His assists should climb as the new starting guard, while Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel also project for bigger creation roles in Charlotte's reworked offense.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Josh Green Traded to the Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired guard/forward Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets as part of the trade involving LaMelo Ball and Naz Reid, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Green had a limited offensive role in Charlotte last season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. He will not be a high-usage fantasy target with Ball and Anthony Edwards now in the same backcourt, but he gives Minnesota another defensive wing who can run in transition and space the floor in bench-heavy units. Green's value would likely need injuries or a larger-than-expected rotation role to move beyond a watch-list profile.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Naz Reid Traded to the Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets acquired big man Naz Reid as part of the blockbuster trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 26-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from deep for Minnesota last season. Reid's fantasy outlook gets more interesting with the Hornets, especially if Charlotte gives him a bigger frontcourt role after years of sharing touches in Minnesota. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel should see more creation chances with Ball gone, but Reid gives the roster a proven floor-spacing big who can score without needing plays called for him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
LaMelo Ball Traded to Timberwolves in Blockbuster Deal
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is headed to Minnesota with Josh Green in a blockbuster deal that sends Naz Reid and a large draft-pick package to Charlotte, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Ball had a healthier 2025-26 campaign, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 72 games for the Hornets. The move puts him next to Anthony Edwards, which should cut into Ball's on-ball dominance but may help his efficiency if he gets more catch-and-shoot looks and easier transition chances. His fantasy ceiling remains tied to assists, threes, and steals, but this is no longer a situation where every possession has to run through him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Hornets Entertain Trade Offers for LaMelo Ball
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets are engaged in trade talks involving guard LaMelo Ball. Charania reports that multiple teams are "strongly" pursuing the star point guard, with some making "aggressive" offers. He added that there's a legitimate chance Ball could be moved if a team is willing to meet Charlotte's asking price. NBA insider Marc Stein also reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors have emerged as two of the teams interested in the 24-year-old, who averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games last season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Xavier Tillman to Play Overseas
NBA center Xavier Tillman has decided to head overseas and has signed with the Turkish club Trabzonspor. The big man has struggled to find consistent playing time in recent years, so he'll head overseas. This past season, Tillman played a minimal role in 30 games between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets. Tillman hasn't seen significant minutes in a rotation since his early days with the Memphis Grizzlies. It's possible that Tillman jumpstarts his career in Turkey and returns to the league at some point.
Source: basketnews.com
Source: basketnews.com
Christian Anderson Joining the Hornets in NBA Draft
The Charlotte Hornets selected guard Christian Anderson with the 18th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. Anderson is the team's second first-round pick, joining 14th pick Hannes Steinbach in North Carolina. The dynamic guard is on the shorter side (6'1", 180 lbs.), but worked his way into the first-round conversation with knockdown perimeter shooting. The 20-year-old averaged 18.5 points on 41% shooting from three-point land, on top of 7.4 assists per game. Anderson could immediately slide into a bench role behind LaMelo Ball, especially if Charlotte is unable to retain Coby White in free agency.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Charlotte Nabs Hannes Steinbach With Final Pick of the Lottery
The Charlotte Hornets selected power forward Hannes Steinbach with the 14th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. Steinbach becomes the final selection of the lottery and joins a Charlotte team loaded with young talent, but a thinner frontcourt. The physical forward averaged a double-double for the Washington Huskies last season, putting up 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The German native also flashed a three-point touch, converting at a 34% clip. Steinbach will likely play behind starting center Moussa Diabate, but he brings flexibility to the Hornets' rotation next season.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Miles Bridges Could be Available This Summer
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges was the subject of trade rumors this past season. There was speculation that Bridges would be moved at the trade deadline. That didn't happen, but Bridges still might end up being moved ahead of this year's draft. The veteran forward is heading into the final year of his deal and has a $22.8 million cap hit for next season. The Hornets hold two first-round picks and might be able to use one of those and Bridges to move up in the draft. Last season, Bridges averaged 171. points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 31.0 minutes per game in 77 contests. It wouldn't be shocking to see Bridges playing in another uniform next season, but his fantasy value will be dependent on where he lands.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Moussa Diabate Has Contract Guaranteed for 2026-2027 Season
Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate will be back with the team next year after recently having his contract guaranteed by the organization. Diabate is coming off a surprisingly solid season for the Hornets this past season. The big man averaged 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 26.0 minutes per game across 73 games. Diabate emerged as a viable starting center option for the Hornets with 47 starts across his 73 appearances. Ryan Kalkbrenner should continue to push for the starting gig after a decent rookie year. Regardless of who starts, both players should be worth a look as late-round options, with Kalkbrenner having higher overall upside.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
The NBA released its 2025-2026 Kia NBA All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. A media panel of 100 voters selects five players to the First-Team and five players to the Second-Team. Unsurprisingly, this year's Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks, was selected to the First-Team. He'll be joined by Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, and Cedric Coward. The Second-Team is headlined by Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey. He's joined by a pair of New Orleans Pelicans in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Collin Murray-Boyles and Maxime Raynaud will round out this year's Second-Team.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Hornets Extend Charles Lee After 25-Win Improvement
The Charlotte Hornets have signed head coach Charles Lee to a contract extension, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. The team did not release details of the deal. Lee took over the Hornets in 2024 after helping the Boston Celtics win the championship as an assistant coach. In Lee's debut season, Charlotte finished with the third-worst record in the league, going 19-63. However, the team improved significantly under his guidance in 2025-26, qualifying for the Play-In Tournament with a 44-38 record. That marks the most wins the Hornets have had since their last playoff appearance in 2015-16. The team will carry great momentum into next season, ranking first in offensive rating (120.7) and fifth in defensive rating (110.2) from Jan. 1 through the end of the regular season.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Brandon Miller has Successful Shoulder Surgery
Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller (shoulder) is out indefinitely after he underwent shoulder surgery to address a left shoulder issue. The Hornets aren't in the playoffs, so Miller will have plenty of time to recover before next season. He injured his shoulder early this season, but managed to play through the issue. He finished with an average of 20.2 points, 3.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game in 65 contests. He wore a wrap on his shoulder throughout most of this season, but should no longer need that after having successful surgery on Wednesday.
Source: Charlotte Hornets
Source: Charlotte Hornets
Hornets Want to Bring Back Coby White
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is set to test the open market this offseason. Although Charlotte will look into bringing back White on a long-term deal. After trading for White at the deadline, Charlotte inherited his Bird rights. That means Charlotte could technically exceed the salary cap to retain White. Given the Hornets' current financial situation, they shouldn't need to do that to re-sign White to a long-term deal. In 21 games with the Hornets, White averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists with nearly a 40 percent shooting performance from deep. It's unclear what kind of role White would have on this team long-term, but his presence could certainly be an asset. White is from the North Carolina area and appears to have enjoyed his time with the organization. It sounds like a reunion could happen, but it depends on what kind of deal White is seeking in free agency.
Source: Bobby Marks
Source: Bobby Marks
LaMelo Ball Scores 23 Points in Season-Ending Loss
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points (7-for-17 on field goals, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-6 on free throws), five assists, and two rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's Play-In loss to Orlando, ending the Hornets' season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games, maintaining strong per-game production despite reduced minutes. His usage remains secure entering next season, with offense flowing through him. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges should continue handling secondary scoring roles alongside Ball's playmaking.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
