The Hornets have decided to part ways with former lottery pick James Bouknight, who will be placed on waivers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Charlotte has to make multiple cuts today, since the team agreed to trade Gordon Hayward for three players and P.J. Washington for two.
The 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Bouknight never developed into a reliable rotation player for the Hornets, averaging 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game across 79 career appearances. His shooting line during that time was just .363/.335/.762.
Bouknight also had some legal troubles after making his NBA debut and has battled injuries. The 23-year-old underwent surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee in October, which delayed his debut this season.
The Hornets declined their fourth-year option for 2024/25 on Bouknight, so he’s on an expiring contract and will count against Charlotte’s cap for $4.57MM in ’23/24. The team won’t be on the hook for any money for him beyond this season.
Bouknight will be eligible to sign with any team after clearing waivers.
You don’t use pick 11 to draft him and waive him. You don’t.
Killian Hayes says hello
MJ did and that’s why the team failed under his leadership. MJ passed on many good players in the draft, selecting players who many thought were late 1st or even second round picks. He passed on Klay, Kawhi, Vucevic. Drafted MKG and passed on Dame, drafted Cody Zeller, passed on CJ McCollum, drafted Vonleh, passed on Zach Lavine, drafted Frank Kaminsky, passed on Booker, drafted Malichi Richardson, passed on Siakam and Dejounte Murray, drafted Malik Monk, passed on Kuzma, OG Anunoby, Donavon Mitchell and Derrick White, drafted Shai Gilgeous Alexander but traded him to LAC for two extra 2nd round draft picks. Also signing injury plagued and past his prime Gordon Hayward to a $120M extension was insane, not to mention the crazy contract he gave Nicolas Batum. Batum averaged 14.9 ppg with the Hornets and MJ gave him the biggest contract in Hornets history at the time, $120M. He was waived in his last year, averaging under 4 ppg. MJ was a great player. As an NBA owner, terrible.
This guy was legit. It’s a shame it’s gotten here. You need a SG. Look at Bouknight
This Bouk was overdue at the library of failed lottery picks by MJ and his Hornets. If not for the Nike money, Mj would be broke.
He was at the top of my DO NOT DRAFT LIST in 2021.
CHA FO should have done some due diligence on him. If they had such a discussion with the people at UConn (or, frankly, anyone who follows Big East basketball), then they could have saved themselves this draft pick.
He had off court issues when he got into the league. He will get a shot on a 2 way contract. He isn’t that good though and needs to work on game.