{
  "id": 15056389,
  "title": "Hornets officially waive Pat Connaughton after 1 season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/hornets-officially-waive-pat-connaughton-after-1-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T22:12:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/hornets-officially-waive-pat-connaughton-221242063.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Charlotte Hornets have officially waived shooting guard Pat Connaughton following his one season with the team, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Coach Charles Lee's squad is grappling with injury concerns as they gear up to start the 2026-27 NBA season on October 21 against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. Connaughton, 33, had a successful collegiate career at Notre Dame, where he starred before being drafted 41st overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2015 NBA Draft. He then played for the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Hornets in July 2025. Connaughton, who was the only player on a non-guaranteed deal, appeared in 42 games during his tenure with the Hornets, averaging 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest. This move comes as the Hornets field a roster that blends veterans and young talent, with rising star Kon Knueppel and rising guard Coby White both dealing with injury issues. The team's other high-flying forward, Brandon Miller, also faces injury concerns, which could place added pressure on Reid and Moussa Diabate up front as they navigate the early portion of the season.",
  "summary": "Coach Charles Lee’s Charlotte Hornets have mounting injury concerns as they prepare to open the 2026-27 NBA season on Wednesday, October 21 at the Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets. Center Naz Reid is showing leadership on a youthful team that cut one of its most well known veterans, Pat Connaughton. The news was revealed by ESPN senior […] The post Hornets officially waive Pat…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}