“The Culling” Begins: Hornets Launch Massive Asset Grab in Three-Trade Frenzy

By Geenoh Blaker | Charlotte Observer

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets made it clear today: the rebuild is not just underway — it’s accelerating. In a flurry of moves now dubbed by insiders as “The Culling,” the Hornets executed three major trades that reshaped the roster and boosted their draft capital into the stratosphere.

Here’s a breakdown of a wild couple days in Buzz City basketball:

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Trade 1: Josh Green Dealt to Houston

• Hornets receive:

  
  

  • 2027 1st Round Pick (via Suns)

  • 2027 1st Round Pick (via Nets)

  
  

• Rockets receive:

  
  

  • Josh Green

  • 2025 2nd Round Pick (via Pelicans)

  
  

Josh Green, acquired in a midseason shuffle, was seen as a potential 3-and-D contributor. Instead, the Hornets flipped him for two future first-rounders, betting on potential instability in Phoenix and Brooklyn to turn those picks into high-value assets.

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Trade 2: Josh Okogie to OKC in Draft Capital Swap

• Hornets receive:

  
  

  • 2027 1st Round Pick (via Clippers; Thunder hold swap rights)

  • 2027 2nd Round Pick (via Rockets; swap best with Miami)

  
  

• Thunder receive:

  
  

  • Josh Okogie

  
  

Okogie, a defensive specialist and recent free agency pickup, is on the move before ever suiting up in teal. The deal nets the Hornets a swap-heavy first and second-round haul, offering flexibility and further draft maneuvering opportunities in 2027.

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Trade 3: Charlotte Sends 2025 1st to Memphis for Pippen Jr. and More

• Hornets receive:

  
  

  • Scottie Pippen Jr.

  • 2028 1st Round Pick (unprotected)

  
  

• Grizzlies receive:

  
  

  • 2025 1st Round Pick (via Hornets)

  
  

In the most surprising move of the day, Charlotte parts with its own lottery-bound 2025 first-rounder in exchange for Scottie Pippen Jr., a promising young guard, and an unprotected 2028 first-rounder. This signals belief in Pippen’s upside and a strategic play for long-term return.

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What It All Means

The Hornets now control six first-round picks from 2027–2028, plus multiple second-rounders with swap rights — and a war chest of draft assets rivaled only by Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

General Manager Jeff Peterson and Assistant Head Coach Leon Rose are making their vision clear: this is a ground-up rebuild fueled by asset acquisition and long-term player development.

“This is chess, not checkers,” one team source said. “We’re thinking years ahead.”

🔮 What’s Next?

With LaMelo Ball’s future still uncertain, and trade rumors swirling around Mark Williams, the Hornets may not be done yet. Training camp looms, but this front office clearly isn’t afraid to tear it down to build something new. Let's not forget that the NBA Draft is around the bend...