Rob Dillingham Gets a Fresh Start in Charlotte, Where the Minutes Are Wide Open

Rob Dillingham is 21, was the eighth pick two years ago, and has now been traded twice in less than a year. This one might finally give him room to play.

Chicago sent him to Charlotte on Sunday for Buddy Hield and cash. The Bulls got Dillingham at last season's deadline, and he averaged 9.6 points and 2.8 assists in 30 games there.

The Hornets have openings in the backcourt. They traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota this summer, and on Friday they said Kon Knueppel will miss the preseason with a hamstring injury. Dillingham has a team option for one more year on his rookie deal before he'd hit restricted free agency in 2028. Charlotte also picked up a $9.6 million trade exception.

Hield barely had time to unpack. The Hornets got him from Atlanta for Dorian Finney-Smith less than a week ago. He's known for his shooting and his energy in the locker room, and he knows Bulls executive vice president Bryson Graham from their time together in New Orleans. He has a player option worth about $10 million for 2027-28.