“My career is over if I go there” – Paul George on why he’d never sign with the Hornets despite liking the city originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Paul George is tied to the Philadelphia 76ers for the next few years on a contract that has sparked plenty of debate. Still, looking beyond that commitment, he recently gave a hypothetical glimpse into his future plans.
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On a recent episode of his show, George made clear that joining the Charlotte Hornets is — and will remain — off his radar.
Charlotte’s culture fails to impress PG-13
George was picked 10th overall out of Fresno State and has now spent 15 years in the league. Over that time, the 6’8″ swingman has grown into a superstar and one of the NBA’s elite two-way players, loaded with individual honors.
He boasts nine All-Star selections, two NBA All-Defensive First Team nods, the 2013 Most Improved Player award, and led the league in steals in 2019. It’s safe to say the California native has the clout to choose almost any team — if he were to hit free agency right now.
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But like every athlete facing a major decision, the choice is rarely simple. PG-13 himself pointed to two key factors that carry real weight: the city and the culture surrounding the team. On both fronts, the Hornets present a tough call — one George said he’d rather stay away from.
“Listen, if I’m in free agency, I’m not picking Charlotte just because there’s no winning culture there,” the 76er emphasized. “Charlotte is an amazing city. Would love to play for it, because of the city — like, I can see myself living there. But in terms of a basketball standpoint, I’m not going. My career is over if I go there.”
Great city but not popular with vets
Paul’s comment casually hinted at two separate things: Charlotte as a city, and the Hornets as a franchise. And yes — there’s a clear gap between the two. City consistently ranks well as a place to live. Niche.com slotted it at No. 44 on its 2025 list, factoring in safety, schools, and job prospects.
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The Hornets, meanwhile, sit near the bottom of any hypothetical list of destinations for top-tier talent. In fact, a recent anonymous player poll by The Athletic ranked Charlotte dead last among all NBA franchises.
While we can only guess how PG-13 voted, his comment reflected what most players already believe. After all, the team’s track record — or lack thereof — speaks for itself.
Since joining the league in 1988, the Hornets — once owned by the legendary Michael Jordan — have made the playoffs only ten times and never advanced past the second round. Over the last two seasons, they posted dismal 21-61 and 19-63 records.
Ultimately, the numbers don’t lie — and neither did George, who likely didn’t intend to bash the Hornets but simply stated the facts.
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There’s more than one way to respond to such realities. A smart approach is to use them as motivation to improve. Maybe that’s the mindset LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and the rest of the Hornets will bring when the regular season tips off on October 21.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.