The Hornets made a late-night move on Tuesday, officially finalizing a trade that brings veteran point guard Tyus Jones to Charlotte. In return, the deal sends two second-round picks and cash considerations from the Magic, giving the Hornets a bit of extra draft capital and a low-risk look at a steady-handed floor general.
Let’s break down the details. Charlotte receives the least favorable of Boston or Orlando’s 2027 second-round picks, plus Orlando’s 2028 second.
Not exactly franchise-altering assets, but for a team in the midst of a rebuild, every draft chip counts. The Hornets also get a shot at Jones, a proven backup with starting experience who could offer some much-needed stability in their backcourt.
To make room on the roster, Charlotte waived veteran wing Pat Connaughton. The 31-year-old appeared in just 22 games this season and will be paid out the remainder of his $9.4 million salary. Connaughton’s departure clears the way for Jones to step in and potentially carve out a role behind-or alongside-LaMelo Ball, depending on how head coach Steve Clifford wants to manage his rotations.
From Orlando’s perspective, the move was more about financial flexibility than on-court impact. By offloading Jones and Connaughton’s salary, the Magic drop roughly $5 million below the luxury tax threshold. That gives them breathing room heading into the stretch run, and with the roster now at 13 standard contracts, they’ve got two weeks to sign a 14th player to meet league minimum requirements.
As for Jones, his time in Orlando never quite took off. Signed to a one-year deal in July, the 29-year-old struggled to find his footing in a crowded Magic backcourt.
He averaged just 3.0 points and 2.4 assists in 15.7 minutes per game, shooting a rough 34.2% from the field and 29.4% from deep across 48 appearances. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but Jones has a track record of efficient, low-turnover play and could thrive in a new system with more defined responsibilities.
For Charlotte, this is a low-risk move with some upside. If Jones can rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s more reliable backup point guards, the Hornets may have found a valuable piece for the remainder of the season-or even beyond. And if not, they’ve still added a couple of second-round picks to the war chest.
It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s a smart piece of roster maneuvering for a team looking to build for the future while staying competitive in the present.