For the second time in 2026, the Charlotte Hornets have waived Pat Connaughton, ending the veteran guard’s tenure with the team ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Unlike the February move, when the Hornets quickly re-signed him to finish last season, this decision appears final.
Connaughton, 33, appeared in only 42 games last season, mostly off the bench. His 7.1 minutes per game were the lowest since his rookie year, and he averaged 2.6 points, the fewest since his second season in the league. The Hornets made a 25-win improvement from the previous year and qualified for the NBA play-in tournament as the No. 9 seed but fell short of reaching the playoffs.
The Hornets acknowledged Connaughton’s contributions beyond the stat sheet, tweeting a farewell message that included “wishing you nothing but the best, @pconnaughton.” His veteran presence was seen as valuable to a young roster that surged in the second half of the season.
Connaughton spent seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before the Hornets acquired him in a trade after the 2024-25 season. His final year in Milwaukee saw him play just 41 games, the fewest during his time with the Bucks. He was a regular contributor during their 2021 championship run and set a career-high scoring average of 9.9 points per game the following season.
Over 440 games with Milwaukee, Connaughton averaged 6.8 points on 44.1% shooting, 76.0% from the free-throw line, and 35.5% from three-point range across 21.6 minutes per game. He played in 73 playoff games with the Bucks, appearing in postseason action every year from 2018 through 2025. His career highlight with Milwaukee came in his final regular-season game on April 13, 2025, when he scored 43 points.
Before Milwaukee, Connaughton spent the first three years of his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Alongside his on-court career, he built a real estate business in Milwaukee that continued during his time in Charlotte. He was also active in community work, leading basketball court renovations through his foundation.
The Hornets’ decision to waive Connaughton came as teams finalized rosters for the upcoming season. After limited playing time and production last year, the Hornets chose to move on from the veteran guard as they prepare for 2026-27.
At the time of writing, there is no confirmation of Connaughton’s next destination in the NBA.
According to Yahoo Sports.