KJ Simpson News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Waived by Charlotte The Hornets waived Simpson on Friday.

Impact Originally selected by Charlotte with the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the second-year guard holds career averages of 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes per game across 50 appearances. He'll now be able to seek opportunities elsewhere.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Charlotte takes on Houston, aims for 5th straight road win

Charlotte enters a matchup with Houston as winners of four straight road games

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Won't play Thursday Simpson (hip) is out for Thursday's game in Houston.

Impact This will be Simpson's fifth consecutive game on the sidelines due to the hip issue, and for now, he should be considered doubtful for Saturday's game in Atlanta. When the Hornets' backcourt has been healthy this season, Simpson has been a negligible part of the rotation.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Monday Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.

Impact Simpson will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a left hip strain. He hasn't been part of the Hornets' rotation as of late, but his next opportunity to play is Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Saturday Simpson (hip) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Simpson has been ruled out for a third straight game due to a left hip flexor strain and is without a timetable for a return. While the two-way player's absence shouldn't affect the Charlotte rotation, his next opportunity to play for the parent club will come Monday against Philadelphia.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Washington plays Charlotte on 5-game road skid

Washington looks to end its five-game road losing streak with a victory against Charlotte

JANUARY 23 • Associated Press

Listed out Thursday Simpson is out for Thursday's game against Orlando with a left hip flexor strain.

Impact The Hornets have now ruled Simpson out for both halves of their back-to-back set. The second-year guard's next chance to play comes Saturday against the Wizards, but it's possible Simpson will report back to the G League's Greensboro Swarm when healthy.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Wednesday Simpson is out for Wednesday's game against Cleveland with a left hip flexor strain.

Impact Simpson suffered the injury as part of the G League's Greensboro Swarm, and the Hornets are now listing him as out for Wednesday. The guard hasn't appeared for Charlotte since Dec. 18, meaning his absence shouldn't have a major impact on the rotation.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to bench Simpson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cavs.

Impact Sion James will replace Simpson in the first unit for Sunday's game, but Simpson should still see significant minutes in the rotation with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Collin Sexton (quad) and Tre Mann (knee) all unavailable. Over the past three games, Simpson has recorded averages of 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 triples, 2.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers per game on 41/39/63 shooting splits.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Solid showing in first start Simpson supplied 16 points (6-14 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-106 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Simpson entered the Hornets' starting lineup for the first time this season due to the absences of LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps). Simpson started out nicely with 13 points in the first half, and while he cooled off in the second, he still finished Sunday's game as the Hornets' third-leading scorer behind Miles Bridges (24 points) and Brandon Miller (17 points). Ball will likely be available for the Hornets' next game Friday against the Bulls, in which case Simpson would revert to a bench role.

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets can't afford to remain patient with KJ Simpson for too long KJ Simpson is holding up one of the Charlotte Hornets' two-way spots, and he has not shown much to prove worthy of that slot.

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Starting Sunday Simpson will start against the Nuggets on Sunday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps) unavailable, Simpson will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The two-way player logged a season-high 28 minutes in Friday's win over the Raptors, during which he registered eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high 28 minutes Simpson accumulated eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds across 28 minutes during Friday's 111-86 victory over Toronto.

Impact Simpson logged a season-high minutes total, closing the game after LaMelo Ball exited early with yet another ankle injury. The two-way player made the most of his time on the court and could become a more regular part of the rotation if Ball is forced to miss additional time.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back to G League Charlotte transferred Simpson to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.

Impact Simpson has been used sparingly at the NBA level so far. Through eight appearances, he holds averages of 4.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per contest.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back to NBA Charlotte recalled Simpson from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.

Impact After getting in a practice session with the Swarm on Monday morning, Simpson was immediately recalled. He will continue to provide emergency depth for the Hornets.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to G League The Hornets transferred Simpson to the G League's Swarm for practice on Monday.

Impact Presumably, Simpson will be recalled to the Hornets right away. Simpson has appeared in six regular-season games for the Hornets with an average of 14.9 minutes per contest.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Upgraded to available Simpson (shoulder) is available for Saturday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Simpson was deemed probable for this contest due to a shoulder problem, but the second-year floor general will be able to suit up. He's buried on the depth chart, however, so he shouldn't see many minutes. He's been limited to just five appearances and 14.4 minutes per contest so far in 2025-26.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Probable vs. Thunder Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.

Impact A left AC joint sprain continues to plague Simpson, though the issue shouldn't keep him out Saturday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) set to take a seat against Oklahoma City, Simpson is in line to at least be part of the rotation. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per game over five games this season, shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Simpson (shoulder) will be available to play Friday against the Bucks.

Impact Simpson will be available, but with LaMelo Ball (ankle) returning for Friday's game, Simpson might get bumped from the rotation. He's averaging 5.0 points and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes a night on the year.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play vs. Bucks Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact A left AC joint sprain continues to bother Simpson, but he remains likely to play Friday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) expected to play, Simpson is in danger of losing some playing time. Simpson has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per contest over five games this season, shooting a paltry 37.5 percent from the floor.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Wednesday Simpson (shoulder) is available for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Simpson was tabbed probable for Wednesday's contest due to a sprained left shoulder. The two-way guard will give it a go, and he should see decent action off the bench due to the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle).

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Probable for Wednesday Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.

Impact A shoulder sprain isn't expected to keep Simpson from playing Wednesday. Simpson has averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15.8 minutes per contest over four games this season.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fares well off bench Simpson closed Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Pelicans with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over 13 minutes.

Impact Simpson is on a two-way contract with the Hornets, but he made his second appearance of the season Tuesday due to some injuries in Charlotte. Once the Hornets get some reinforcements back, Simpson is likely to be a featured player for the Greensboro Swarm in the G League.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

KJ Simpson shows Hornets made avoidable blunder in free agency KJ Simpson has lit up Summer League, and the Charlotte Hornets are probably ruing a free-agency signing that could hold him back.

JULY 20, 2025 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Leading scorer in SL win Simpson totaled 18 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven assists, one rebound and one steal across 25 minutes in Monday's 87-69 Summer League win over the Mavericks.

Impact Simpson delivered another strong showing Monday, leading all scorers with 18 points. He saw extended minutes to close out his rookie 2024-25 campaign, starting the Hornets' final 10 regular-season games and averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 36.4 percent in 30.2 minutes per game.

JULY 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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