After an active offseason, the Charlotte Hornets continued their rebuilding efforts by adding several new players, including four selections in the 2025 NBA draft.
The Hornets again moved Mark Williams but acquired Pat Connaughton and Collin Sexton through separate trades, while signing free agents Spencer Dinwiddie and Mason Plumlee. The front office also re-signed Tre Mann to a three-year, $24 million contract.
The team drafted Kon Knueppel (No. 4 pick), Liam McNeeley (29th), Sion James (33rd) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th) in June. The group led the Hornets to the NBA Summer League championship for the first time, which has created plenty of excitement heading into the season.
Charlotte currently has 18 players signed to the roster and will need to trim it to no more than 15 standard contracts by opening night. Though the team isn’t expected to add any other players, the front office still has additional moves to make in the coming days.
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Hornets’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PGLaMelo Ball: $37,958,760Spencer Dinwiddie: $2,296,274Tre Mann: $8,000,000Nick Smith Jr.: $2,710,680SGBrandon Miller: $11,968,000Collin Sexton: $18,975,000Josh Green: $13,666,667Pat Connaughton: $9,423,869SFKon Knueppel: $10,015,680DaQuan Jeffries: $2,743,776Liam McNeeley: $2,763,960Sion James: $2,296,274PFMiles Bridges: $25,000,000Tidjane Salaün: $7,863,240Grant Williams: $13,645,500*
*Injured
CMoussa Diabate: $2,270,735Mason Plumlee: $2,296,274Ryan Kalkbrenner: $2,296,274Two-Way ContractsDrew PetersonAntonio ReevesKJ Simpson
Hornets salary information via Spotrac