Charlotte Hornets Named Top Landing Spot for Former NBA MVP in Free Agency

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Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings in action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Hornets lost one star guard this offseason when they traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Perhaps they could add another one in free agency.

Hornets Named Top Landing Spot for Russell Westbrook in NBA Free Agency

The Hornets were recently listed as a top potential landing spot for veteran guard Russell Westbrook in NBA free agency by Lucas Johnson of FanSided. Westbrook is currently still looking for a new NBA home after spending the 2025-26 season with the Sacramento Kings.

“The Hornets traded their primary playmaker, LaMelo Ball, and brought back Coby White this offseason, but they lack proven point guard depth, with only Tre Mann and rookie Christian Anderson the only other point guards on the roster. Anderson is unproven, while both White and Mann are not traditional table setters that the Hornets need at the point guard position,” Johnson wrote.

“Enter Westbrook. There’s enough shooting in the Hornets’ starting five that Westbrook could start next to White or come off the bench. His playmaking, ability to attack the basket, and rebounding could help raise the floor of the Hornets from a possible play-in team to a lock for the play-in and a possible top-six playoff team.”

Westbrook will turn 38 years old at the start of next season, but he remains a productive player. With the Kings last season he averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per performance. Given their lack of guard depth behind Coby White, and the overall youth of the team, adding a veteran ballhandler like Westbrook could indeed make some sense for Charlotte.

NBA Scout Thinks No Team Should Sign Russell Westbrook

At least one NBA scout thinks that no team, including the Hornets, should sign Westbrook at this late stage of his career as the scout doesn’t think that Westbrook’s presence on a roster is necessarily conducive to winning.

“I wouldn’t touch him in a million years. You can’t rely on him in terms of what’s going to happen. Yeah, he’ll have, you know, great games. Sure. But he can’t shoot. He plays his own way. He’s not going to fit into a system. He doesn’t really defend,” the scout said of Westbrook.

“I mean, yeah, he’ll put up some numbers and he’ll win you some games. In terms of truly building a winning team, you don’t get him on your team.”

We’ll have to see if teams take the advice of that singular scout, or if some team ultimately decides to sign the former NBA MVP.