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Xavier Cooks Hannes Steinbach has 19 points, 10 boards in loss
Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 5:29 PM
Hannes Steinbach had 19 points (7-of-9 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 10 rebounds and three steals in Friday's exhibition against the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Steinbach came off the bench, but it was notable that he entered the game early in the first quarter for starter Ryan Kalkbrenner. Steinbach had the hot hand as he outscored Kalkbrenner 19-2 and played 28 minutes to Kalkbrenner's 19. We could be seeing the beginning of Steinbach moving up in the Hornets' big man rotation, though it's also worth noting that Moussa Diabate didn't play due to a right elbow injury. |
Royce O'Neale Royce O'Neale perfect from three, scores 12 points
Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 4:03 PM
Royce O'Neale finished Wednesday's exhibition against the Celtics with 12 points (4-of-4 FGs), two rebounds, two assists and four three-pointers.
Analysis: The Hornets have been without Kon Knueppel all preseason as he recovers from a hamstring injury, and he's unlikely to be ready for the October 21 season opener. While Liam McNeeley (seven points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer vs. Boston) was the replacement in the first three exhibitions, O'Neale did the honors on Wednesday. The veteran wing is most valuable to managers needing three-pointers and steals, and he provided the former in Beantown. O'Neale's negative was his team-high five turnovers. Charlotte visits Memphis in its preseason finale on Friday; that game should answer who is best positioned to start for Knueppel when the regular season begins. |
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Xavier Cooks Christian Anderson makes preseason debut vs. BOS
Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 4:01 PM
Christian Anderson finished Wednesday's exhibition against the Celtics with 10 points (4-of-8 FGs), one rebound, one assist, two steals and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Anderson, the 18th overall pick in June's draft, returned from the ankle injury that sidelined him at the start of training camp. The rookie guard logged 21 minutes off the bench, signaling that it's âall systems goâ with no restrictions. With Coby White sidelined by a calf injury, Anderson may get minutes backing up starting point guard Dennis Schröder (five points, three rebounds and two assists vs. Boston) once the regular season begins. That said, he'll be far more valuable in dynasty leagues than in redraft leagues. |
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Xavier Cooks Christian Anderson (ankle) will return to lineup
Wed, Oct 14, 2026, 12:29 PM
Hornets PR
Christian Anderson will be available Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.
Analysis: Anderson is behind Dennis Schroeder in the rotation, but with the injuries to Coby White, there is an opportunity for the rookie point guard to get minutes early on in the season. He should fit right into Charles Lee's 3PT heavy system. |
Naz Reid Naz Reid contributes 16 points, one blocked shot
Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 3:45 PM
Naz Reid tallied 16 points (7-of-14 FGs), two rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers in Sunday's exhibition against the Bucks.
Analysis: After scoring 13 points in his Hornets' preseason debut against the Nets, Reid was a little more effective on Sunday. He shot 50 percent from the field, but the overall stat line was a bit lean. In Charlotte, Reid should have more room to flourish offensively. However, increased usage doesn't guarantee increased production. His current ADP sits in the middle rounds of 12-team leagues, a fair spot for Reid. |
Brandon Miller Brandon Miller scores 18 in preseason debut
Sun, Oct 11, 2026, 3:42 PM
Brandon Miller recorded 18 points (6-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday's exhibition against the Bucks.
Analysis: Miller was on the court on Sunday after sitting out Charlotte's preseason opener. He led the Hornets in scoring, and he'll be expected to do that nightly once the regular season begins. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is not expected to be available when the season opens on October 21, which may raise Miller's fantasy ceiling. However, to live up to those hopes, he'll need to be more efficient. |
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Xavier Cooks Kylan Boswell (knee) targeting late-October return
Mon, Oct 5, 2026, 11:48 AM
Charlotte Hornets
Kylan Boswell (knee) is not expected to resume basketball activities until late October.
Analysis: Boswell, whom the Hornets signed to a two-way contract this summer, is dealing with a right knee injury. The Hornets announced Monday that they aim to have the rookie return to basketball activities in late October, just before the G League season begins. Boswell's absence will not affect fantasy basketball, even with the Hornets losing Coby White to a strained calf. |
Coby White Coby White (calf) ruled out for preseason
Mon, Oct 5, 2026, 11:45 AM
Charlotte Hornets
Coby White (calf) will not play in any of the Hornets' preseason games.
Analysis: According to the team, White suffered a strained left calf during training camp. As a result, he won't play in any preseason games, and team doctors will re-evaluate him just before the start of the regular season. White's injury means that Charlotte will go through the preseason without three expected rotation players, with Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams dealing with hamstring injuries. If White isn't ready when the regular season begins, Dennis Schröder will gain added fantasy value as the Hornets' most experienced healthy point guard. |
Grant Williams Grant Williams (hamstring) to miss preseason
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 1:08 PM
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets announced Friday that Grant Williams (hamstring) will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season.
Analysis: Williams is one of two Hornets ruled out for the preseason due to hamstring injuries; Kon Knueppel is the other. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a right hamstring injury during an offseason on-court activity and will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season. While Williams' injury leaves the Hornets down an option in the frontcourt, it does not significantly impact fantasy basketball. |
Buddy Hield Buddy Hield reportedly traded to Hornets
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:00 AM
Shams Charania
The Hornets acquired Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard from the Hawks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith.
Analysis: Hield, who began the 2025-26 season with the Warriors before being sent to Atlanta in the Jonathan Kuminga trade, appeared in just seven games for the Hawks. With Atlanta adding Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins via trade and Kingston Flemings via the draft, Hield's chances of earning rotation minutes were unlikely to improve, even though the Hawks guaranteed his salary for next season. Unfortunately for Hield, Charlotte has a similar logjam on the wings, lowering his chances of becoming fantasy-relevant in 2026-27. |
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Xavier Cooks Hornets sign Bez Mbeng
Tue, Sep 8, 2026, 5:30 AM
Charlotte Hornets
Hornets signed Bez Mbeng.
Analysis: While details of the contract were not disclosed, Mbeng is most likely joining the Hornets on an Exhibit 10 contract. He appeared in 15 NBA games with the Jazz last season, starting five, and averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals in 32.8 minutes. Given Charlotte's depth in the backcourt, Mbeng is likely to spend most of his time in the G League. With the Sioux Falls Skyforce currently holding his G League rights, the Hornets would need to make a deal with them to get Mbeng to Greensboro. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller (shoulder) not fully cleared yet
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 2:24 AM
Charlotte Observer
Brandon Miller (shoulder) continues to progress in his recovery from offseason left shoulder surgery.
Analysis: Miller, who missed 13 games early last season after suffering a subluxation of his left shoulder, underwent surgery in May to address instability in the area. While he still has not been fully cleared to resume basketball activities, the 6-foot-7 wing is making strides in his recovery. âIt's going good, going good,â Miller told the Charlotte Observer. âI'm getting stronger. That's all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing.â With the Hornets moving on from LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this summer, Miller's role will expand next season, raising his fantasy ceiling. |
Dennis Schroder Shams: Dennis Schröder traded to Hornets Friday
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 11:05 AM
Shams Charania
Dennis Schröder was acquired by the Hornets in exchange for Tre Mann, reports ESPN's Shams Charania.
Analysis: The Cavaliers also sent cash considerations to the Hornets as part of the deal. According to various reports, the Cavaliers had been trying to offload Schröder's contract since the NBA Draft. In this trade, they'll save around $6 million in cap space. The Hornets will upgrade their backcourt depth here in the wake of trading LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves. Charlotte will be Schröder's 12th team, bringing him one away from tying Ish Smith's record for most teams played for. The 32-year-old point guard averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists in 70 games last season. |
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Xavier Cooks Hannes Steinbach has 27 points, 15 boards in loss
Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 3:32 PM
Hannes Steinbach had 27 points (13-of-22 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 15 rebounds, three assists and one steal in the Hornets' 110-91 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Steinbach went off for his first monster game of Summer League, though it wasn't enough for the Hornets to beat the Bucks. The 20-year-old power forward showed his tremendous fantasy upside as he was relentless on the offensive end with 27 points and seven offensive rebounds. Steinbach will be in Charlotte's big man rotation right away and has incredible potential if he ends up starting. |
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Xavier Cooks Christian Anderson Jr. tallies 12 points vs. NOP
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 12:26 PM
Christian Anderson Jr. amassed 12 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in Saturday's loss to the Pelicans.
Analysis: After shooting 2-of-11 from the field in his summer debut on Thursday, Anderson was better on Saturday. The 18th overall pick in last month's draft, he shot 2-of-8 from beyond the arc and 5-of-14 overall. More concerning than the shooting was Anderson not recording an assist, but the fact that Sion James and Liam McNeeley also took on playmaking responsibilities was a factor. With the Hornets re-signing Coby White, Anderson will have time to develop, so fantasy managers should not be too concerned by his slow start in Las Vegas. |
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Xavier Cooks Hannes Steinbach records double-double in SL debut
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 4:03 PM
Hannes Steinbach recorded a double-double on Thursday with 15 points (4-of-7 FGs), 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks against the Magic.
Analysis: It wasn't a flawless debut for Steinbach, but he showcased why he is such a good prospect for fantasy basketball. He's a double-double machine, and even if he isn't the best defender, he has a knack for racking up defensive stats. He'll compete for minutes down low during his rookie season, and there is a path for him to get the starting job and become a fantasy monster in year one. |
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Xavier Cooks Christian Anderson Jr. held to six points
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 4:00 PM
Christian Anderson Jr. finished with six points (2-of-11 FGs), one rebound and two assists against the Magic on Thursday.
Analysis: Anderson was one of the best shooting prospects in the draft, and he'll be fine, but it was a disappointing first summer league game for him. He missed all five of his shots from deep and didn't do much as a facilitator. It was only one exhibition, but Anderson isn't going to be the LaMelo Ball replacement in his first season. He'll likely play a role off the bench as a rookie and should be better moving forward this summer. |
Dorian Finney-Smith Shams: Rockets sending DFS, picks to Charlotte
Fri, Jul 3, 2026, 6:36 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Rockets are trading Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to the Hornets.
Analysis: For Houston, this move was all about creating financial flexibility. Charlotte adds a veteran forward that can still play a solid role off the bench if needed, but they also added three more second-round picks, pushing their total to 20 over the next seven years. That gives them plenty of ammo to make moves in the future, while DFS will make an impact in the locker room immediately. |
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Royce O'Neale Report: Royce O'Neale traded to Charlotte
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 8:17 AM
Shams Charania
The Hornets have reportedly acquired Royce O'Neale, Grayson Allen and a 2033 first-round pick from the Suns for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
Analysis: A consistent presence in the Suns' starting lineup, O'Neale averaged career-highs in points (9.8) and three-pointers (2.7) last season. The veteran wing was also responsible for 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 71.1 percent from the foul line. While not a prolific scorer, O'Neale gives the Hornets a veteran 3-and-D wing the team needs, especially with Josh Green (who was not much of a three-point shooter) being included in the LaMelo Ball trade. As was the case in Phoenix, O'Neale stands to be most valuable to fantasy managers needing three-pointers and steals. |
Grayson Allen Report: Grayson Allen traded to Hornets
Sun, Jun 28, 2026, 8:11 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Suns have traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
Analysis: After three seasons in Phoenix, Allen is headed back to the Eastern Conference. While injuries limited him to 51 games, the veteran guard averaged a career-high 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 three-pointers for the Suns last season. When available, Allen is one of the best three-point shooters in the league, and a solid defender as well. His addition gives the Hornets welcome perimeter depth, which is needed in the aftermath of LaMelo Ball being traded to the Timberwolves. However, availability concerns will affect where Allen is selected in most fantasy drafts. |
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