Charlotte Hornets: News, Scores, Stats, Headlines, Injury Updates & More

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Rotoworld Player News

Grant Williams

CHA Forward #2

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The Hornets announced Friday that Grant Williams (hamstring) will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season.

Williams is one of two Hornets ruled out for the preseason due to hamstring injuries; Kon Knueppel is the other. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a right hamstring injury during an offseason on-court activity and will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. While Williams’ injury leaves the Hornets down an option in the frontcourt, it does not significantly impact fantasy basketball.
Kon Knueppel

CHA Guard-Forward #7

Kon Knueppel (hamstring) will miss the preseason and be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season.

Given how well Knueppel played as a rookie and the Hornets’ decision to move on from LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, Friday’s news gives his 2026-27 season a brutal start. At a minimum, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year will be sidelined for four weeks, and that’s just for him to be re-evaluated. According to the Hornets, Knueppel suffered the left hamstring injury during an offseason on-court activity. His absence boosts the early-season values of Brandon Miller and Coby White while also making Grayson Allen a more viable late-round option in drafts.
Ryan Nembhard

CHA Guard #19

Ryan Nembhard has been traded to the Hornets.

The full deal was Nembhard, Buddy Hield and cash for Dorian Finney-Smith. After going undrafted in 2025, Nembhard had a solid rookie year for Dallas. However, they ended up trading him to Atlanta in July, and he has now been swung to Charlotte. He’ll likely compete with Dennis Schroder and Christian Anderson for some of the backup point guard minutes behind Coby White.
Buddy Hield

CHA Guard #8

The Hornets acquired Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard from the Hawks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Hield, who began the 2025-26 season with the Warriors before being sent to Atlanta in the Jonathan Kuminga trade, appeared in just seven games for the Hawks. With Atlanta adding Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins via trade and Kingston Flemings via the draft, Hield’s chances of earning rotation minutes were unlikely to improve, even though the Hawks guaranteed his salary for next season. Unfortunately for Hield, Charlotte has a similar logjam on the wings, lowering his chances of becoming fantasy-relevant in 2026-27.
Dorian Finney-Smith

ATL Forward #17

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Hornets are trading Dorian Finney-Smith to the Hawks in exchange for Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash.

The deal had been rumored in recent days, and now it’s happening. Charlotte acquired DFS and three second-round picks in a cost-cutting move for the Rockets in July and have now swung him to Atlanta. The three-and-D forward should fill out some depth minutes for the Hawks behind Jalen Johnson, but it is unlikely he plays significant minutes, barring an injury.
Bez Mbeng

CHA Guard #21

Hornets signed Bez Mbeng.

While details of the contract were not disclosed, Mbeng is most likely joining the Hornets on an Exhibit 10 contract. He appeared in 15 NBA games with the Jazz last season, starting five, and averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals in 32.8 minutes. Given Charlotte’s depth in the backcourt, Mbeng is likely to spend most of his time in the G League. With the Sioux Falls Skyforce currently holding his G League rights, the Hornets would need to make a deal with them to get Mbeng to Greensboro.
Brandon Miller

CHA Forward #24

Brandon Miller (shoulder) continues to progress in his recovery from offseason left shoulder surgery.

Miller, who missed 13 games early last season after suffering a subluxation of his left shoulder, underwent surgery in May to address instability in the area. While he still has not been fully cleared to resume basketball activities, the 6-foot-7 wing is making strides in his recovery. “It’s going good, going good,” Miller told the Charlotte Observer. “I’m getting stronger. That’s all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing.” With the Hornets moving on from LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this summer, Miller’s role will expand next season, raising his fantasy ceiling.
Dennis Schröder

CHA Guard #8

Dennis Schröder was acquired by the Hornets in exchange for Tre Mann, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Cavaliers also sent cash considerations to the Hornets as part of the deal. According to various reports, the Cavaliers had been trying to offload Schröder’s contract since the NBA Draft. In this trade, they’ll save around $6 million in cap space. The Hornets will upgrade their backcourt depth here in the wake of trading LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves. Charlotte will be Schröder’s 12th team, bringing him one away from tying Ish Smith’s record for most teams played for. The 32-year-old point guard averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists in 70 games last season.
Hannes Steinbach

CHA Forward-Center

Hannes Steinbach had 27 points (13-of-22 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 15 rebounds, three assists and one steal in the Hornets’ 110-91 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.

Steinbach went off for his first monster game of Summer League, though it wasn’t enough for the Hornets to beat the Bucks. The 20-year-old power forward showed his tremendous fantasy upside as he was relentless on the offensive end with 27 points and seven offensive rebounds. Steinbach will be in Charlotte’s big man rotation right away and has incredible potential if he ends up starting.
Christian Anderson Jr.

CHA Guard

Christian Anderson Jr. amassed 12 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in Saturday’s loss to the Pelicans.

After shooting 2-of-11 from the field in his summer debut on Thursday, Anderson was better on Saturday. The 18th overall pick in last month’s draft, he shot 2-of-8 from beyond the arc and 5-of-14 overall. More concerning than the shooting was Anderson not recording an assist, but the fact that Sion James and Liam McNeeley also took on playmaking responsibilities was a factor. With the Hornets re-signing Coby White, Anderson will have time to develop, so fantasy managers should not be too concerned by his slow start in Las Vegas.