After a recent trade with the Chicago Bulls that saw the Hornets acquire former No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham, Charlotte began trimming their roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. Following the deal, the Hornets had 18 players rostered, needing to trim down to 15 prior to their season opener October 21 against the Brooklyn Nets.
That meant point guard Ryan Nembhard was the first to go, despite having an impressive season as an undrafted rookie with the Dallas Mavericks. Nembhard has moved around a bunch this offseason, being traded from Dallas to Atlanta in the Zaccharie Risacher deal and then from the Hawks to the Hornets in the Dorian Finney-Smith deal. Playing on a non-guaranteed contract, it cost nothing for Charlotte to waive the former
Gonzaga guard.
Last season, Nembhard played his way from a two-way contract into a standard deal, averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 steals in 19.5 minutes per game. During his final regular season game with the Mavericks last year, Nembahrd did the unthinkable, scoring 15 points to go along with 23 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Nembhard is expected to garner plenty of interest from other teams throughout the league, with Denver reported as a possible landing spot if he were to clear waivers.
With 17 players under contract, Charlotte still has roster trimming to do. Pat Connaughton is the only Hornets player rostered whose contract is non-guaranteed.
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This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Charlotte Hornets waive point guard who once recorded 23 assists in a game
