Charlotte Hornets 2025 Free Agency Primer

Free Agency Opens June 30th. Will the Hornets "Do Something"™?

The Situation

The Hornets are capped and 22 million below the tax (If you count Josh Okogie’s 7.75 million dollars). This team is VERY unlikely to pay the tax with so many question marks.*

They have two exceptions to use to sign free agents or make trades.

• 14.1 million non-tax midlevel

• 5.1 million biannual

What Do The Hornets Need?

• 6/30 UPDATE: Post-Sexton trade

  • Removed: “Vet Backup PG” and “downhill scoring”

• Vet center

• Wing defense

• Outside shooting

Big Questions for the Hornets Heading into Free Agency

• Do they guarantee Josh Okogie’s contract on or before June 30? And if they do, do they ship it out in a trade?

• How much do the Hornets want to spend to retain Tre Mann? Anything over 8 million/year will prevent them from using the full non-tax mid level without going into the tax.

• How many of their rookies will be capable/are they willing to play right away?

• Is all the “we don’t want to skip steps” talk just a giant bluff? If the right All-Star level player suddenly becomes available via trade would they eject Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball, Tidjane Salaun, Kon Knueppel and/or 1st round draft capital to acquire them?

Free Agent Options

Let’s go over the options they have to sign their own free agents, to sign someone using the midlevel exception and to sign someone to the biannual exception. At the every end I profile some players I think will be financially or situationally out of reach.

Hornets’ Own Free Agents

Tre Mann (PG/SG, 6’3”, 24)

• Profile: An athletic guard with an impressive ability to score and create plays in transition. The Hornets have control here and can match any deal

• Strengths:

  • Quick first step and ability to penetrate defenses, often leading to high-percentage shots.

  • Versatile scoring arsenal including drives, floaters, and catch-and-shoots.

• Issues:

  • Injuries: he was out most of last year with a back injury that wouldn’t respond to rehab. His agent says he’s fully healthy but the Hornets can ill afford to invest more money in players who can’t stay on the floor. If Tre Mann loses his ability to juke and jive inside the arc to create space because his back seizes up his value goes negative.

  • Efficiency in shot selection and decision making can be improved, particularly when contested.

  • Further honing his defensive awareness and consistency will make him a more complete player.

Seth Curry (SG, 6’1”, 34)

Very unlikely to be given anything more than a G-League look post-Sexton deal. I’m not sure why they didn’t use him more last season but I can’t see bringing him back in a suddenly full wing position.

Taj Gibson (PF/C, 6’9”, 40)

Another fun story and he expressed interest in coming back. Maybe it makes more sense after they dealt Nurkic but not if you really want to compete.

KJ Simpson (PG, 6’0”, 23)

Very unlikely to be given anything more than a G-League look post-Sexton deal. Will this be the first Jeff Peterson draft pick to wash out or will they find room for him in Greensboro to see if his shooting and vision improve?

14.1 Million Non-Tax Midlevel Options

Clint Capela (C, 6’10”, 30)

Profile: A traditional rim-running big who brings reliable rebounding, interior defense, and vertical spacing. Not flashy, but extremely serviceable in a limited role or spot starter minutes. Could be signed for the taxpayer midlevel or slightly less.

Strengths:

• Excellent pick-and-roll finisher with good hands and timing.

• Still a strong rebounder (8.5 RPG in 21 MPG last season).

• Solid interior shot blocker and help defender.

Issues:

• Limited offensive skill set outside of 5 feet.

• Doesn’t space the floor, can bog down half-court spacing.

• Injuries have slowly chipped away at his mobility.

Jake LaRavia (SF/PF, 6’8”, 22)

• Profile: A promising young player known for his grit and commitment on both ends of the floor. My personal favorite addition idea.

• Strengths:

  • Sound defensive instincts and plus effort.

  • Good cutter, smart passer

  • Can knock down catch and shoot opportunities

  • Room fora little bit more development

• Issues:

  • Average ball handler and doesn’t shoot well off the dribble

  • Not much of an athlete