Answer-First Lead: Hornets Waive $52M NBA Champion After Acquiring Dennis Schroder
The Charlotte Hornets are expected to waive NBA champion Pat Connaughton after acquiring Dennis Schroder from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Connaughton has earned $52 million throughout his career. The Hornets are over the roster limit with 17 players under contract.
What Happened?
The Charlotte Hornets have been active in the offseason, adding veteran talent to their young roster. The team acquired Dennis Schroder from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade that sent Tre Mann to the Cavaliers. However, the Hornets are still over the roster limit, and they will need to make another move to get under the limit.
Why it Matters for Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets' roster crunch is not over yet. They still need to make at least one more move to get under the roster limit before the start of the season. Connaughton's waiver would give him an opportunity to find another team and continue his career elsewhere.
What Comes Next?
The Hornets are expected to make another move to get under the roster limit. They have several options, but they will need to be careful not to lose any of their key players. The team's future looks exciting, especially after the moves they have made this offseason.
The Charlotte Hornets have been more active than they have been in recent summers, trying to add veteran talent to their young roster. The future in Charlotte looks exciting, especially after the moves the team has made this offseason. Last result: New York Knicks 96-110 Charlotte Hornets (2026-04-12). Recent form (last 3): 2W-0D-1L (WLW, most recent first).
Connaughton was a key piece of the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 championship team, helping the franchise defeat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. He provided valuable shooting and athleticism alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, often benefiting from the open looks created by the superstar.
The Hornets are currently above the roster limit with 17 players under contract. Pat Connaughton is a likely waive candidate with a non-guaranteed contract, but additional moves are still expected to come from Charlotte ahead of next season. Connaughton has earned $52 million throughout his career. If Charlotte ultimately waives the veteran, it would give him an opportunity to find another team and continue his career elsewhere.
For the Hornets, however, the roster crunch is not over. Charlotte still needs to make at least one more move to get under the roster limit before the start of the season.
