The Charlotte Hornets have officially waived Josh Okogie, avoiding the $7.7 million salary guarantee that would have taken effect if he remained on the roster past Tuesday. The move comes as the team faces a tight roster situation and continues to seek better flexibility moving forward.

Trade Efforts and Financial Considerations Surrounding Okogie

Charlotte had been actively looking for a trade partner for the 27-year-old wing, but no suitable deals emerged. To allow additional time in their search, the Hornets and Okogie agreed to delay his guarantee deadline beyond the original June 30 date. Ultimately, the lack of a trade opportunity led to his waiver before the salary became fully guaranteed.

Okogie’s Performance Record During His Hornets Tenure

Last season, Okogie played in 40 games, averaging 15.6 minutes, 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, with shooting splits of .448 from the field, .348 from three-point range, and .741 from the free-throw line. He was acquired in January from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Nick Richards, along with three second-round picks. After joining Charlotte, Okogie appeared in 16 games, starting in six, and posted an average of 8.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest.

Roster Pressure Forces Additional Cuts and Moves

The Hornets are currently carrying 18 players under standard contracts, with all three two-way slots filled, including the pending signing of Drew Peterson. This overcrowding has created pressure on players without guaranteed deals, such as DaQuan Jeffries and Nick Smith Jr., who could be at risk of losing their roster spots if the team does not execute more trades or roster adjustments soon.