Hornets Waive Pat Connaughton, Finalize 15-Man Roster Before Opening Night

The Charlotte Hornets made their final standard-roster cut Friday, waiving veteran guard-forward Pat Connaughton just days before the 2026-27 NBA season begins. The move leaves Charlotte with 15 players on standard contracts, the regular-season maximum. Connaughton appeared in 42 games for the Hornets last season after arriving from Milwaukee, averaging 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in limited minutes.

Connaughton, 33, leaves Charlotte with 11 NBA seasons, 637 career games and a 2021 championship with the Bucks on his résumé. His experience made him a respected veteran presence, but the roster math worked against him. Charlotte needed to get down to 15 standard contracts, and Connaughton was the most straightforward player to move because his deal was not guaranteed.

The decision is more about roster construction than Connaughton suddenly losing NBA value. A proven shooter, athlete and locker-room veteran, he now enters the market close to opening night when contenders frequently reassess depth after injuries or early-season needs emerge. For Charlotte, the move settles the final numbers ahead of the opener. For Connaughton, it begins a different question: whether another NBA team values his championship experience enough to make room before the season gets underway.