The Charlotte Hornets aren’t one of the hottest teams in the NBA. But they’ve been attracting attention to themselves and generating hot headlines in recent days.
The Hornets finished the 2023-24 NBA regular season with a 21-61 record and missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive time. The Hornets last advanced to the NBA playoffs in 2016. They took on the Miami Heat, but they eventually fell to the Heat in a do-or-die Game 7. They fell short even after acquiring high-profile NBA players, such as Jeremy Lamb, Jeremy Lin, and Nicolas Batum.
As of Saturday, July 6, Charlotte is reportedly set to waive former first-round pick Aleksej Pokusevski. Here’s what you need to know.
All About Aleksej Pokusevski
Aleksej Pokusevski, 22, is a Serbian power forward and center born in Belgrade, Serbia, and raised in Belgrade’s second-largest city, Novi Sad. Pokusevski was first drafted 17th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2020 NBA Draft, becoming the youngest player to be drafted in ’20. He later signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 9, 2020, becoming the youngest active player in the NBA.
Pokusevski made his first NBA career start on March 12, 2021 and scored 23 points, including five three-pointers, grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds, and dished out four assists in the Thunder’s 128-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. And, at 19 years and 78 days old, Pokusevski became the youngest player in franchise history to score 20-plus points while setting the record for being the youngest player in league history with 20-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and five-plus three-pointers made in a game. He also became the second-youngest player in NBA history to make five three-pointers in a game, trailing LeBron James in 2004.
The Thunder waived Pokusevski on February 23, 2024, after a four-year tenure, but the Serbian big man quickly signed with the Charlotte Hornets on February 28, 2024. However, the Hornets are reportedly waiving Pokusevski, according to the Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania.
Potential Next Steps for Aleksej Pokusevski
The Charlotte Hornets appear to be making moves to hopefully snap their eight-year playoff drought. Hornets star Miles Bridges recently agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal to stay with the team. Bridges, 26, was originally drafted 12th overall by the LA Clippers at the 2018 NBA Draft but was subsequently traded to the Hornets in exchange for future Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
If Aleksej Pokusevski decides to stick around in North America, the Golden State Warriors or the Los Angeles Lakers are arguably his top two picks, as they might be looking for a new power forward who could refresh their respective starting lineups. However, multiple sources have reported Partizan Belgrade has shown interest in Pokuveski if he plans to return to Europe. We’ll see what happens.
More About the Pokusevski Storyline
Charlotte Hornets front office advisor Steve Clifford appears to regret letting go of Serbian big men Aleksej Pokusevski and Vasilije Micic, a point guard, according to EuroHoops.net.
Clifford told Mozzart, “I’m only sorry that I didn’t bring them earlier … It would be even better if they were with us for the whole season, two great guys who fit into the team.”
On Pokusevski, Clifford said, “I have to say that I am very happy for him because he showed that he can play … He made a step forward and that is the most important thing at this moment. It is important now to make continuity.”
Aside from Pokusevski, Charlotte waived Davis Bertans, a Latvian power forward, on Saturday, according to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania. Let’s see how the Hornets stack up against their competition in the coming weeks.
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