The Charlotte Hornets are rolling-and not just on the court. Winners of nine straight, they're not just riding momentum; they're building something. And at the trade deadline, they made it clear they’re not content with just being hot-they want to be dangerous.
One of the bigger moves came with the addition of Coby White from the Chicago Bulls, a guard who brings instant offense and a steady hand off the bench. But that wasn’t the only transaction. Charlotte also took part in a three-team deal with the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards, which brought in Malaki Branham.
That stint was short-lived.
Just days after the deal, the Hornets waived Branham, per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points. It’s a move that reflects the team’s current roster construction more than anything else.
Branham, originally drafted 20th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2022, showed flashes during his time in San Antonio and Washington-averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in just under 18 minutes per game. But in Charlotte, the fit just wasn’t there.
The Hornets are already deep at the guard position, and right now, that group is clicking. LaMelo Ball is back to orchestrating the offense with his signature flair, and rookie Kon Knueppel has stepped up in a big way, complementing Ball with efficient scoring and smart decision-making. Their chemistry in the backcourt has been one of the driving forces behind this win streak.
Up front, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges are doing the dirty work-defending, rebounding, and giving the Hornets the kind of two-way versatility that keeps them competitive on both ends. And now, with Coby White joining the mix, Charlotte has added a proven scorer who can heat up in a hurry. Whether he’s leading the second unit or closing games, White gives this team another layer of offensive punch.
The result? Charlotte currently sits in the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, right in the Play-In mix. If the win streak continues-and with the way this roster is playing, that’s not out of the question-they could climb even higher.
The decision to waive Branham might seem abrupt, but it speaks to a team that knows what it wants. The Hornets aren’t stockpiling talent for the sake of it. They’re building a rotation with purpose, and right now, that purpose is winning basketball games.