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Moussa Diabate Downgraded to Out Against Celtics
Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, ending a run of nine straight starts to open the season. The 24-year-old is averaging 8.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while shooting 63.5 percent from the field. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a strong candidate to step into the starting lineup, while Charlotte could also mix in smaller frontcourt looks. Kalkbrenner would have a chance to provide short-term value on the glass if he takes on a larger role.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Moussa Diabate Iffy for NBA Cup Clash with Boston
Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (quadriceps) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics with right quadriceps tendinopathy. The 24-year-old has yet to miss a game this season, averaging 8.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while starting all nine contests. If Diabate can't go, Ryan Kalkbrenner would likely step into the starting lineup. With Grant Williams (hamstring) also sidelined, Kalkbrenner could be worth a look for rebounds and blocks if he gets the extra minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Naz Reid Benched At Halftime In Loss To Pistons
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid was benched at halftime and didn't play in the second half of a 97-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. "Unfortunately, he didn't meet our standards in the first half, and at halftime we made a decision that he wouldn't play in the second half. But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. Reid played 13 minutes in the Pistons game and scored seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field with six rebounds and one blocked shot. He was 1-of-1 from behind the 3-point line. Reid is averaging 17.0 points per game this season with 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Source: Hornets Reddit
Source: Hornets Reddit
Naz Reid Scores 13 Points in Hornets Preseason Debut
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid recorded 13 points and four rebounds in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 124-90 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He shot 3-for-9 from the field, 1-for-5 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line. Head coach Charles Lee highlighted Reid's versatility and ability to create out of mismatches after the game. Reid averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 26.1 minutes with Minnesota last season, mostly in a reserve role. If he sticks in the starting lineup in Charlotte, the extra minutes should give him more chances to score and rebound.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Grant Williams Suffers Right-Hamstring Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Grant Williams (hamstring) will miss the entire preseason after suffering a right hamstring injury during offseason on-court activity, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. He will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. Williams averaged 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes across 36 games last season while shooting 38.8 percent from three. The 27-year-old was already competing for frontcourt minutes after Charlotte added Naz Reid and rookie Hannes Steinbach. Williams carried limited fantasy value when healthy, and his absence could create a few extra early-season opportunities for the Hornets' other forwards and bigs.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Naz Reid Steps Into Starting Role with Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid is in line to open the season as a full-time starter after arriving from Minnesota in the LaMelo Ball trade, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year has never held that kind of role, but he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 36.2 percent from three in a crowded Timberwolves frontcourt. The fit in Charlotte gives him a cleaner fantasy runway. Coby White should take over as the primary initiator, while Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will also command touches on the wing. Reid's per-minute production has always been useful, and a steady starting workload could push him toward career highs in points, rebounds, and threes.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Hornets Waive Mouhamadou Gueye
The Charlotte Hornets waived forward/center Mouhamadou Gueye, the team announced, after acquiring him from Chicago in the July 10 four-team deal that also involved Minnesota and Brooklyn. Gueye was included largely for transaction mechanics, and his non-guaranteed 2026-27 salary made him an expected cut with Charlotte facing an offseason roster crunch. The 28-year-old has appeared in 13 NBA games, including two with Chicago last season, and averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 34 regular-season G League games for Windy City. Valencia Basket has already announced a deal with Gueye through June 30, 2027, so there is no NBA fantasy fallout here.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Hannes Steinbach Grabs Double-Double in Loss to Sacramento
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Hannes Steinbach logged his third Summer League double-double in Friday's 92-90 loss to the Kings, going for 22 points and 11 rebounds on 7-for-10 shooting with one steal over 29 minutes. The No. 14 pick now has three double-doubles in five Vegas games, backing a college season at Washington that produced 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds a night. His work on the glass is the sort of skill that carries over immediately, and on a rebuilding Charlotte team without much settled frontcourt production, that alone should earn a lottery pick early looks. The scoring polish can develop from there.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Hannes Steinbach Leads Charlotte Bench Against Magic
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Hannes Steinbach registered 15 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal across 22 minutes in Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Orlando Magic. The No. 14 overall pick led Charlotte's bench and shot 4-for-7 from the field while going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line. Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals at Washington last season, so the rebounding and defensive stats are the key fantasy signals. He still needs a steady regular-season role, but his activity gives him a useful category profile.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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
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
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
