The
This development marks the latest chapter in a turbulent start to Dillingham's professional career. Since being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves—who notably traded two future first-round picks to move up and secure his services—the point guard has struggled to find a consistent home in the league. His departure from Charlotte means he will now be searching for his third team in the span of just two years.
A Rapid Roster Shift for Charlotte
The decision to release Dillingham allows the Hornets to finalize the financial implications of the trade that brought him to the franchise. By executing the deal, Charlotte successfully cleared Buddy Hield’s multiyear contract from their salary cap and generated a $9.6 million trade exception, providing the organization with additional flexibility moving forward.
Dillingham’s path to this point has been marked by limited opportunities and frequent movement. During his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 6-foot-2 guard found it difficult to earn a consistent spot in head coach Chris Finch’s rotation, failing to surpass 15 minutes of playing time per game during his tenure with the club. Following his mid-season trade to the Chicago Bulls, he appeared in 30 games, recording averages of 9.6 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 42.8% from the field.
As Dillingham enters the free agent market, the focus shifts to his next destination after a whirlwind 24 hours in Charlotte. The Hornets, meanwhile, move ahead with the cap space and trade exception created by the transaction, signaling a strategic shift in their roster construction following the departure of Hield.
