The Charlotte Hornets have waived guard Josh Okogie, according to reports. This move comes as Okogie's $7.7 million salary for the upcoming season was set to become guaranteed if he remained on the roster. The Hornets were reportedly looking to trade Okogie but were unable to find a suitable trade partner before the guarantee deadline.
Okogie, 27, appeared in 40 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in approximately 15.6 minutes per game. He was acquired by Charlotte from the Phoenix Suns in January in exchange for Nick Richards and three second-round picks. In his 16 games with the Hornets, including six starts, he averaged 8.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.
The Hornets are facing a roster crunch and need to make further moves to trim down their roster. They currently have 18 players on standard contracts and all three of their two-way slots filled. Other players who could potentially be waived or traded include DaQuan Jeffries and Nick Smith Jr.
Okogie, a former first-round pick (20th overall) by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018, spent over two years with the Phoenix Suns before being traded to Charlotte. While his offensive game didn't fully develop, his defensive hustle and effort earned him playing time alongside stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
What's Next for Okogie?
Now a free agent, Josh Okogie is expected to draw interest from other teams looking for a defensive-minded wing player. His career averages include 6.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 416 games. According to Spotrac, Okogie has earned approximately $24.3 million throughout his NBA career.
The move by the Hornets signals their intention to reshape their roster and create more flexibility for the future.
Key Stats for Josh Okogie:
- 7.1 points per game (with Hornets last season)
- 2.8 rebounds per game (with Hornets last season)
- 1.2 steals per game (with Hornets last season)
- $7.7 million salary avoided by Hornets