Josh Okogie was drafted in 2018 during the first round of the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He now finds himself playing for his third different team, the Charlotte Hornets, after a trade with the Phoenix Suns that also involved Nick Richards and four total second-round picks.
Okogie has played five games with Charlotte, averaging 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per contest.
In his first outing in a Hornets uniform, the former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket had five points, four rebounds, and one assist. But his latest performance against the Los Angeles Lakers inside the Spectrum Center saw him put up 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals.
On Friday, January 24, Okogie recorded his first double-double as a Hornet against the Trail Blazers at home, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds off the bench.
It appears Okogie has quickly become a fan favorite, as his defensive presence and ability to log solid numbers and deliver big plays have provided head coach Charles Lee with a new dynamic on the hardwood.
Josh Okogie believes the sky is the limit for his new squad
Okogie talked about the Hornets' potential and why he believes there are greater heights to be reached moving forward.
His message should have fans optimistic.
Charlotte Observer's Roderick Boone (subscription required) shared Okogie's message, saying, "Obviously, the record might not reflect that, but the work that they put in, the potential that this team hs in how hard we play, how fast we play and how connected we are, I feel like the sky's the limit for this team."
Okogie is right; the Hornets' record is not great by any means and stands amongst the bottom of the entire NBA. Nevertheless, it did not stop him from seeing the potential in his new organization — he has faith, and that's always a good thing.
LaMelo Ball, who has evolved into one of the best guards in the Eastern Conference, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, Josh Green, Moussa Diabate, and others make up for a solid foundation for the years to come. However, injuries have just continued to plague this franchise, making life harder than it needs to be.
At the age of 26, Okogie has another season left on his contract in Charlotte before becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season. Some pundits have wondered if the Hornets would divert him to another squad by the trade deadline, but he has so far proven worth keeping.
If the front office led by Jeff Peterson is able to retain Okogie in 2027, that could give the team another piece that could help set itself up for success. Maybe by then, Okogie will still be loved by Charlotte fans, and the Hornets are hopefully competing for a playoff spot.