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Updated Ranking of Charlotte Hornets' Most Expensive Contracts
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) handles the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Ethan Thompson IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While they're still not flush with cash, the Charlotte Hornets did do a lot of shuffling with contracts this offseason, including moving off of two of their most expensive players. LaMelo Ball's max extension and Miles Bridges' $75 million contract are both gone now.

That said, the Hornets did pony up some cash for Coby White's contract, and a Brandon Miller extension (potentially the max) is looming. Until that happens, though, here's how the Hornets' contract table looks:

  • Coby White: $26.8M cap hit
  • Naz Reid: $23.3M cap hit
  • Grayson Allen: $18.1M cap hit
  • Brandon Miller: $15.1M cap hit
  • Dennis Schroder: $14.8M cap hit
  • Grant Williams: $14.3M cap hit
  • Dorian Finney-Smith: $14.2M cap hit
  • Royce O'Neale: $10.9M cap hit
  • Kon Knueppel: $10.5M cap hit
  • Tidjane Salaun: $8.3M cap hit
  • Hannes Steinbach: $5.2M cap hit
  • Christian Anderson Jr.: $4.3M cap hit
  • Pat Connaughton: $3.8M cap hit
  • Liam McNeeley: $2.9M cap hit
  • Moussa Diabate: $2.5M cap hit
  • Ryan Kalkbrenner: $2.4M cap hit
  • Sion James: $2.4M cap hit

In terms of total contract value, the rankings don't change much, since the Hornets don't have many huge contracts. Naz Reid, Coby White, Grayson Allen, Grant Williams, and Dorian Finney-Smith top that list.

This illustrates just how active the Hornets have been this offseason. Six of the top eight cap hits were not on the roster at the beginning of last season. They have totally reshaped the roster.

It also showcases the flexibility the Hornets have. Right now, the Hornets with the most time left on their deals are Christian Anderson Jr., Hannes Steinbach, and Naz Reid. In other words, two new rookies and the big-ticket acquisition this offseason.

This look at the contract situations on the Hornets' roster also shows off the depth of talent they have for cheap. Sion James is a solid guard, and he costs less than $3 million. Moussa Diabate was a top -10 NBA player in qualified on/off splits, and he costs less than $3 million as well.

Even the best players on the team, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, currently (before Miller's seemingly inevitable extension) cost less than $26 million combined, which is less than Coby White does by himself.

The Hornets may have shot themselves in the foot with the LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges trades, but it's hard to say they didn't create flexibility and cost-effectiveness in the same breath.


This article first appeared on Charlotte Hornets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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