Hornets' Christian Anderson: Struggles in Summer League
Rotowire
Anderson posted six points (2-11 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound and two assists in 26 minutes during Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Magic.
The rookie guard struggled to find his shooting touch in his professional debut, but Charlotte continued to trust him with on-ball opportunities as he adjusts to the NBA game. As a rookie, he will likely be brought along slowly behind Coby White.
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Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Plays well in Summer League
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Kalkbrenner finished with 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-0 3Pt, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 30 minutes during Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Magic.
The second-year center was dominant defensively and controlled the paint throughout the contest, finishing one rebound shy of a double-double while showcasing the passing ability that Charlotte hopes will complement his elite rim protection. The problem with Kalkbrenner's fantasy appeal is that he has to compete with Hannes Steinbach and Moussa Diabate for minutes.
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Hornets' Liam McNeeley: Erupts for 28 points in SL win
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McNeeley racked up 28 points (9-18 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four assists and two rebounds across 28 minutes in Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Magic.
McNeeley struggled from two-point range, though he torched the nets from beyond the arc and finished with a game-high 28 points. The 20-year-old forward was one of three Charlotte players to score in double figures and also tied for second on the team in assists. He isn't guaranteed a consistent spot in the Hornets' rotation in 2026-27 and will have to compete for playing time with Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, Sion James and Dorian Finney-Smith.
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Hornets' Hannes Steinbach: Double-double in SL win
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Steinbach registered 15 points (4-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 22 minutes in Thursday's 86-74 Summer League win over the Magic.
Coming off the bench, Steinbach delivered a full stat line, highlighted by a game-high 11 rebounds as part of a double-double effort. The Hornets have some intriguing young frontcourt pieces, with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate both flashing potential at center last season, but given his pedigree as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Steinbach figures to compete for minutes early in the regular season.
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Hornets' Dorian Finney-Smith: Traded to Charlotte
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The Rockets are trading Finney-Smith to the Hornets along with three second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
This is a pure salary dump by the Rockets. Finney-Smith is coming off a down season, but he has a strong track record of being a plus defender and floor spacer. Presumably, the Hornets will be eyeing him as a potential rotation player off the bench.
Charlotte exercised Connaughton's $3.8 million team option Monday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
According to Boone, the Hornets value Connaughton's voice and leadership in the locker room. In 42 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, the veteran averaged a mere 7.1 minutes per contest.
The Suns traded O'Neale, Grayson Allen and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
O'Neale will serve as a veteran presence in the Hornets' locker room, and he'll help back up Naz Reid. O'Neale averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game in Phoenix last season, but it will be tough to replicate those numbers operating in a reserve role in Charlotte.
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Hornets' Grayson Allen: Traded to Charlotte
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The Suns traded Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After spending the past three years in Phoenix, Allen will join a retooling Charlotte squad that has now traded away LaMelo Ball and Bridges this offseason. Allen is coming off arguably the best year of his career, averaging 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 28.8 minutes per game across 51 outings (27 starts). However, he shot just 40.3 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from deep, a significant dip from the 2024-25 campaign. He figures to play a significant role off the bench for Charlotte and will likely compete for minutes with Sion James and Tre Mann.
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Hornets' Michael Ajayi: Nets two-way contract with Hornets
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The Hornets are signing Ajayi to a two-year two-way contract Friday, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
The rookie forward went undrafted out of Butler, but Charlotte seems impressed enough by his collegiate resume to offer him a two-way roster spot. Ajayi figures to participate in the Summer League in July, and then most of his development is likely to come with the G League's Greensboro Swarm in 2026-27.
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Hornets' Tosan Evbuomwan: Waived by Hornets
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The Hornets are waiving Evbuomwan, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.
The 25-year-old swingman signed a two-way deal with the Hornets in February, but he played only for the G League's Greensboro Swarm and never appeared for the parent club. Set for his fourth season in the league, Evbuomwan will likely look for an opportunity in the Summer League ahead of training camp in the fall.
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Frontcourt becomes crowded
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Kalkbrenner could face increased competition for frontcourt minutes after Charlotte acquired Naz Reid as part of the LaMelo Ball trade, according to Cholo Magsino of Yahoo Sports.
The second-year center enters a rotation that already includes Reid, Moussa Diabate and other young big men competing for reserve roles, including 2026 lottery pick Hannes Steinbach. While Kalkbrenner's rim protection and interior defense should help him earn opportunities, his playing time could be volatile based on matchups. His long-term outlook remains promising, but consistent minutes may not be as straightforward as originally thought.
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Hornets' Moussa Diabate: More competition up front
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Diabate could face a more crowded path to playing time after Charlotte acquired additional frontcourt talent in the LaMelo Ball trade, Cholo Magsino of Yahoo Sports reports.
The young big man showed flashes as an energy player and rebounder last season, but the additions of Naz Reid and Hannes Steinbach, plus internal improvement of second-year center Ryan Kalkbrenner may create increased competition for minutes. Diabate's defensive activity and athleticism should still give him an opportunity to earn a role, though his playing time may be less secure entering 2026-27.
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