The Charlotte Hornets have been shuffling players in and out of the rotation in recent weeks. Their latest addition of Eric Dixon has garnered praise around the league because the move could give the Hornets a frontcourt boost should they deem it necessary during the middle of the 2025-26 season.
For those wondering why Charlotte has been signing then waiving youngsters left and right, it's because giving them Exhibit 10 contracts would allow them to earn a bonus of up to over $85,000 if they spend at least 60 days with the Hornets' G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Simply put, the players they have signed to Exhibit 10 deals could possibly be promoted to the main squad.
In the Hornets' case, pulling off such a move would require them to open up a roster spot. However, that might not be too much of a problem for the team, as it will likely try to shop around some of its veterans in exchange for draft capital later this season. So, if Charlotte is left impressed by Dixon's performances, presumably in the G League, it could opt to create an opening for him to be called up, either via a standard contract or a two-way deal.
Eric Dixon could fill a need for Hornets
The undrafted rookie could turn out to be a gem for Buzz City, as he was one of the most productive collegiate players last season. He led all NCAA Division I hoopsters in scoring with 23.3 points per contest. Another of his impressive feats was shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range, which probably caught Hornets coach Charles Lee's attention.
The Villanova University was also more than just a scorer, as he recorded 5.1 rebounds per contest, on the way to securing third-team All-American honors. New Hornets assistant coach Kyle Neptune also probably knows how to utilize Dixon best, having served as the Wildcats' head coach in the past three years.
It's unclear why the 24-year-old forward went unselected in this year's draft, although the Los Angeles Lakers were quick to pick him up as a free agent. However, due to his foot injury, the Lakers opted to waive him, leading to Charlotte giving him another chance to prove himself.
Only time will tell if Dixon can eventually make it to the Hornets' main roster. However, their lack of guys who can play power forward and potentially be a bucket-getter can open up an opportunity for him to see a promotion. Of course, it will all boil down to whether he can stay healthy and showcase his scoring skills in the G League.