RealGM Basketball Wiretap

17 September 2025

• Hornets Hire Will Weaver As Coaching Advisor

  The Charlotte Hornets are hiring Will Weaver as a coaching advisor, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Weaver was previously an assistant with the Nets, Rockets, and Australia's national team.

  Weaver was also named the G League Coach of the Year with the Long Island Nets for the 2018-19 season.

• Nine Teams Could Have Significant Cap Space During 2026 NBA Offseason

  There are nine teams who project to have significant cap space during the 2026 offseason. Cap space will be more readily available next offseason than it was in 2025 after a 10 percent increase in the cap for this season and a projected seven percent increase for 2026-27, combined with fewer veteran extensions this year.

  The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

  There were only three teams with salary cap space in 2025 in the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets used their cap space to take on Michael Porter Jr. via trade, while the Grizzlies used theirs to sign a renegotiate-and-extend contract with Jaren Jackson Jr. The Bucks unexpectedly created cap space by using the stretch-and-waive on Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner.

  From 2013-14 to 2019-20, the league went through a period with an average of 17 teams per year with cap space. Since then, the average has decreased to 5.1 teams.

  The 2026 free agent class is expected to include Trae Young and LeBron James.

• Brandon Miller Close To 100 Percent Back From Wrist Surgery

  Brandon Miller underwent season-ending surgery in January after he tore a ligament in his wrist. Miller was averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his second season with the Charlotte Hornets. Miller is still not fully recovered, but he is getting close and expects to be ready for the start of preseason.

  "It's probably around 90-95% now," said Miller. "I started contact (drills). I'll be ready the first day the season starts and I'm just excited to get back out on the court with my guys."

  Miller was asked when he was able to begin ramping up.

  "Recently," said Miller. "When I started shooting and it doesn't hurt? Yeah, recently. It's all part of the process. Not everything's going to be a smooth route. You're going to have ups and downs, a lot of bumps and curves."

• Hornets Waive Damion Baugh

  The Charlotte Hornets waived Damion Baugh from his Two-Way contract on Wednesday.

  The move cleared the way for the Hornets to sign Antonio Reeves to a Two-Way contract.

  Baugh averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 15 games for the Hornets last year.

• Antonio Reeves, Hornets Agree To Two-Way Deal

  Antonio Reeves and the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a Two-Way contract.

  Reeves appeared in 44 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 6.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 15.0 minutes. Reeves also averaged 24.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 38.8 minutes in 11 G League games. Reeves was released by the Pelicans shortly after the start of free agency.

  Reeves is represented by Sam Rose.

• Josh Okogie, Rockets Agree To One-Year, $3.1M Deal

  Josh Okogie and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal. Okogie was recently waived by the Charlotte Hornets ahead of his $7.75 million guarantee date.

  Okogie appeared in 40 games last season with the Phoenix Suns and Hornets, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 15.6 minutes.

  Okogie, who is represented by Calvin Andrews, will give the Rockets another wing defender.

• Hornets Win First Summer League Title; Kon Knueppel Named MVP

  The Charlotte Hornets beat the Sacramento Kings 83-78 to win their first Summer League title on Sunday night.

  Kon Knueppel, the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, scored 21 points and won the MVP award. Knueppel also averaged 18.3 points over the last four games in the tournament.

  "Like I said before, if you're going to come here, you should win," Knueppel said. "So, that's what we did."

  Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points for the Hornets.

  The Kings were lead by Isaac Jones, who finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The Kings went 5-1 in Summer League.

  The Hornets finished Summer League with a 6-0 record.

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