The Charlotte Hornets are making moves at the back end of their roster, parting ways with guard KJ Simpson and bringing in forward Tosan Evbuomwan on a two-way contract. It’s a shift that reflects both the realities of player development and the ongoing search for contributors who can stick.
Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had been with the Hornets on a two-way deal since his rookie summer. Over the course of 50 NBA games, he showed flashes - averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in just over 21 minutes per contest - but ultimately struggled to find consistency, especially with his shot. His shooting splits - 34.6% from the field, 26.6% from three, and 77.3% from the line - tell the story of a young guard still trying to adjust to the pace and physicality of the pro game.
The shooting struggles followed him to the G League, where he suited up for the Greensboro Swarm. In 11 games there, Simpson shot just 37.6% overall and 24.1% from deep - numbers that, combined with a left hip injury that’s kept him sidelined since mid-January, likely played a role in Charlotte’s decision to move on.
Enter Tosan Evbuomwan, a 6’8” forward who’s been grinding his way through the NBA’s developmental pipeline since going undrafted out of Princeton in 2023. A former Ivy League Player of the Year, Evbuomwan has carved out opportunities with a handful of teams, including 10-day stints with the Grizzlies and Pistons as a rookie, followed by a two-way deal with Detroit to close out that season. He spent most of his second year with the Brooklyn Nets on a two-way contract before being waived this past August.
After a brief stint with the Knicks earlier this season, Evbuomwan found his way to the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, where he’s been putting up strong numbers. In nine games, he’s averaged 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over 35.2 minutes per night - a well-rounded stat line that speaks to his versatility and feel for the game.
Evbuomwan’s skill set fits the modern NBA mold: a forward who can handle, pass, and make decisions in space. While he’s still working to prove he can do it consistently at the NBA level, his recent G League production suggests he’s trending in the right direction. With Charlotte, he’ll have the chance to appear in up to 19 games for the remainder of the season - a window to show he belongs and potentially earn a longer look.
For the Hornets, this is a low-risk, high-upside move. They’re swapping out a guard who, despite some promise, hasn’t quite found his rhythm, for a forward who brings size, versatility, and momentum from a strong G League run. It’s the kind of roster churn that’s common for teams looking to uncover hidden gems - and with Evbuomwan, Charlotte might have just found one worth watching.