3 Charlotte Hornets Players Who Could Be Dealt in the 2025-26 Season

In the 2025 draft, the Hornets selected Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley and Ryan Kalkbrenner, all of whom should see a large role this season.

With these additions, the Hornets are looking to be a surprise team in the NBA this season and make a run at a playoff spot in the East.

Because of this, Charlotte may look to make some moves ahead of the trade deadline and these three players could potentially be on the move this season.

Miles Bridges

Bridges has been arguably the Hornets second-best player behind Ball over the past few seasons and he put together another solid season last year.

Despite this, the Hornets’ additions of Knueppel and McNeeley could cause the team to shop the 27-year-old forward this season in order for them to give more playing time to their young players.

If this ends up being the case, Bridges should draw interest from teams around the league and he could net the Hornets a solid trade package in return if they do decide to move him.

Jusuf Nurkic

The Hornets acquired Jusuf Nurkic from the Phoenix Suns last season in the trade that sent Cody Martin to Phoenix.

After arriving in Charlotte, the 31-year-old center put together a solid second half of the season and he could see a larger role this season after they traded Mark Williams to the Suns during the offseason.

Despite this, Nurkic could draw interest from some contending teams in need of frontcourt depth this season and the Hornets may be willing to move him, especially with the addition of Kalkbrenner this summer.

Pat Connaughton

After spending the last seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Pat Connaughton was traded to the Hornets in the offseason for Milwaukee to free up cap space to sign Myles Turner.

For the 32-year-old guard, he may be a key player off the bench for the Hornets this season but it is likely that they will look to move him ahead of the deadline as they try to give their young players as much playing time as possible.

Because of this, the former champion may be on the move once again this season and he could draw interest from a few teams around the league looking for wing depth.

As the Hornets try to end their playoff drought this season, they may be in line to make a few moves ahead of the deadline to free up playing time for their young players as they continue to go through a rebuild.