The Charlotte Hornets made waves at the trade deadline by waiving young point guard KJ Simpson. But Simpson didn't stay on the market for long-he's reportedly inked a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets.
Simpson's tenure with the Hornets was always on shaky ground, especially with the arrival of Coby White. The Hornets' decision to let Simpson go in favor of using their third two-way spot on Tosan Evbuomwan signals a shift in strategy.
Fans might have been momentarily thrilled by the acquisition of a European forward, only to realize it wasn’t the superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
KJ Simpson's Return to Familiar Grounds
The Hornets may eventually second-guess their decision to part ways with Simpson, who, at 23, still has plenty of potential. He could have been a valuable backup, especially with White yet to debut due to a calf strain. The Hornets, having also traded Collin Sexton to the Bulls, might find themselves in need of a ball-handler like Simpson down the line.
Defensively, Simpson had his struggles, which made it tough for Charlotte to rely on him for consistent offensive facilitation or floor spacing. Even during his stints with the Greensboro Swarm in the G League, he didn’t quite make a compelling case for retention.
However, Denver might offer a fresh start. Simpson's college days at the University of Colorado Boulder could provide a sense of familiarity that boosts his performance. With the Nuggets boasting multiple playmakers, Simpson can zero in on his defensive prowess and bring energy to the backcourt.
While his time in Charlotte didn’t meet all expectations, Simpson became a fan favorite, especially after helping secure a Summer League championship. Now, as he embarks on this new chapter with the Nuggets, fans have every reason to cheer him on, even if he's donning a different jersey.