The harsh message Pat Connaughton got from Hornets executive after trade from Bucks

While speaking to the team recently, Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson gave Connaughton a special shoutout.

Peterson revealed that when Charlotte traded for Connaughton from the Bucks over the summer, he told the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star a discouraging outlook for him with the Hornets.

However, Connaughton still showed up in Charlotte in a display of incredible professionalism.

“There is one person I want to shout out specifically, and that’s Pat Connaughton. I’ll be fully transparent with you guys. When we made the trade for Pat, I talked to him and I said, ‘You’re probably not making the team.'”

“And I give him all the credit in the world because he showed up. He didn’t have to be here. He could have just said, ‘I’m just gonna chill in Texas with my family and figure out my next move,’ but he’s been with you guys every step of the way, competing.”

And as it turned out, Connaughton would make the team’s opening day roster, with Charlotte opting to part ways with veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie instead. Although the Hornets don’t have a long-term plan for Connaughton, Charlotte is said to be looking to use his expiring $9.4 million contract as potential trade bait.