Former Hornets have resurfaced across Europe. JT Thor's shooting gains make him the likeliest NBA return, affecting 'return to NBA' futures. Punters might target Dwayne Bacon points overs in smaller leagues and Kai Jones for high FG% player-props, while avoiding injured names like Devonte Graham.
Where Former Charlotte Hornets Are Now: A European Check-In
The Charlotte Hornets churned through dozens of players during lean seasons, and many have rebuilt careers overseas. From EuroLeague contenders to emerging clubs in Italy and Spain, former Hornets are carving new roles. This roundup ranks the top 10 ex-Hornets currently playing abroad, lists notable honorable mentions, and explores which players could still earn an NBA return — plus the betting angles to watch.
Honorable Mentions
Arnoldas Kulboka (2 games — Greece), Mike Tobey (2 — Spain), J.P. Macura (2 — Italy & Greece), Malachi Flynn (4 — Turkey), Jared Rhoden (4 — France), Xavier Sneed (4 — Italy), Kobi Simmons (5 — Spain), Frank Ntilikina (5 — Greece), Nate Darling (7 — France), Theo Maledon (13 — Spain), Briante Weber (13 — Italy), Aleksej Pokusevski (18 — Serbia)
Top 10 Former Hornets Playing Overseas
10. Isaiah Wong — Dreamland Gran Canaria (Spain)
SF | 20 games for Charlotte. Wong started as an injury fill-in in the NBA and moved through Lithuania before landing in Spain. He’s averaging roughly 12.5 points across 32 games but struggling from deep (around 28.4%). In Europe he’s finding steadier minutes, though inconsistency from long range limits his ceiling.
9. Nate Mensah — U-BT Cluj-Napoca (Romania)
C | 25 games for Charlotte. The 7.4-foot wingspan center has shown hustle but limited offensive polish. After brief stops at top Euro clubs with little impact, Mensah played regularly in Romania early on before dropping out of rotations late November.
8. Davis Bertans — Dubai BC (Dubai, EuroLeague participant)
SF | 28 games for Charlotte. Once a lethal shooter in the NBA, Bertans moved to Dubai BC and started well before a two-month injury absence. When healthy he remains a spacing threat, though durability questions persist.
7. Vasilije Micic — Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
PG | 66 games for Charlotte. Micic’s veteran playmaking earned attention after buyout freedom. With Hapoel he’s been solid but not dominant, complementing an Israeli squad that’s more dangerous as a unit than because of him alone.
6. Kai Jones — Anadolu Efes (Turkey)
C | 67 games for Charlotte. Jones has seen increased minutes amid Efes’ injuries and posted an almost absurd field-goal conversion early on — made 91 of 94 attempts — producing an elite FG%. His role remains efficiency-driven rather than pick-and-roll creation.
5. Willy Hernangomez — Barcelona (Spain)
C | 111 games for Charlotte. The veteran Spaniard alternates starts and bench duty in a top-tier Barcelona frontcourt. Reliable rebounder and occasional scorer, he remains a useful rotation piece at 31.
4. Dwayne Bacon — Dubai BC (Dubai)
SF | 115 games for Charlotte. Bacon has become a primary scorer overseas, averaging roughly 15.3 points and taking over a dozen shots per game. Efficiency is inconsistent, but he offers high usage and volume scoring in smaller leagues.
3. Jeffery Taylor — U-BT Cluj-Napoca (Romania)
PF | 132 games for Charlotte. Taylor built a lengthy and decorated European resume after leaving the NBA. Now near the end of his career, he provides veteran spacing and experience for Cluj.
2. Devonte Graham — Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) — Currently Free Agent
SG | 164 games for Charlotte. Graham signed in Serbia but suffered a preseason injury, returned late and struggled to regain a role. He parted ways with Red Star in January and remains unsigned, limiting his immediate impact and betting relevance.
1. JT Thor — Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia (Italy)
PF | 165 games for Charlotte. Thor’s athleticism translated to a sixth-man role in Italy. He’s averaging about 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, and his three-point touch (around 38.3%) is suddenly a feature. At 23, Thor is the clearest candidate to attract NBA interest again if the shooting and defense stay consistent.
Who Could Return to the NBA?
Realistically, only a small handful have intriguing enough upside to merit NBA looks. JT Thor tops that list due to age, athleticism and improved perimeter shooting. Kai Jones’ elite efficiency is eye-catching but may not override concerns about offensive range and playmaking. Most others are either established veterans overseas or dealing with injuries and limited upside for a state-side return.
Betting Implications for Punters
- Futures: JT Thor’s progress makes “return to NBA” futures worth monitoring; small stakes could pay if his hot shooting continues. Avoid longshots on injured players like Devonte Graham until they prove fitness and role stability.
- Player Props: Dwayne Bacon’s usage-heavy role in smaller leagues makes points overs attractive in matchups where he’s expected to start. Kai Jones’ absurd FG% suggests guards/forwards might underperform typical FG lines when he’s on the floor; consider FG% props if available.
- Match and Team Bets: Vasilije Micic’s presence on a title-contending Hapoel makes them a safer pick in league markets, though he’s not the sole driver. Barcelona and Efes remain stable options in domestic and EuroLeague markets due to deep rosters.
Summary
Many ex-Hornets have found stability abroad, with varied careers from EuroLeague contention to scoring roles in lesser leagues.
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For bettors, focus on players with clear roles and consistent usage (Bacon, Thor, Micic) and steer clear of injured or rotational quos (Graham, Mensah) until situations clarify. Keep tabs on JT Thor — he’s the most plausible path back to the NBA.
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