The Charlotte Hornets had a difficult decision to make with Josh Okogie, and they just made it.
According to Michael Scotto, the Hornets have now waived Okogie.
His $7.75 million salary was set to be guaranteed this week unless Charlotte dropped him from their very crowded roster.
Now, Okogie will try to find a new home in the NBA, and the Hornets will attempt to move on without him.
Just In: The Charlotte Hornets have waived Josh Okogie, league sources told @hoopshype. Okogie’s $7.75 million salary was set to guarantee today if he remained on the roster. Okogie averaged 8.9 points and 1.8 steals in 18.3 minutes per game in 15 games for Charlotte last season. https://t.co/xuWkCMCsVr
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 15, 2025
Okogie only played in 15 games with the Hornets last season, averaging 8.9 points and 1.8 steals during his 18.3 minutes on the court.
He was quietly doing some good work for Charlotte, but they simply did not have space for him in 2025-26.
Their roster was already too full, and they didn’t have options for Okogie.
There was some talk about them possibly trading him to another team, but they didn’t have any leverage because the rest of the league knew how crowded their lineup was.
No team was willing to make a trade with the Hornets, knowing that they were already over their limit with guaranteed roster spots.
This meant that Charlotte only had one move to make: waive Okogie or someone else.
In the end, they decided to part ways with Okogie.
Since coming into the league in 2018-19, Okogie has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and now the Hornets.
Where will he head next?
As for the Hornets, will they miss his defensive skills?
Charlotte is a young team that would benefit from more experience in the lineup.
Did they just say goodbye to one of their most helpful veterans, and will this end up biting them?
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