Paul George didn’t mince words when talking about one team he’d never consider in free agency: the Charlotte Hornets. Speaking candidly on a recent episode of Podcast P, the 9-time All-Star explained why signing with Charlotte was never an option, despite his fondness for the city itself.
“Listen, if I’m in free agency, I’m not picking Charlotte, just because there’s no winning culture there alone,” George said. “Charlotte is an amazing city… but in terms of a basketball standpoint? I’m not going. My career’s over with if I go there.”
While some fans may see it as harsh, George’s comments reflect a sentiment that many players have quietly shared for years. Charlotte has talent and upside, but its lack of identity, leadership, and postseason success has kept it off the radar for top-tier free agents.
In the case of Paul George, he has made it clear where he stands on the subject. As someone who spent years in Los Angeles and is now in Philadelphia, he clearly has a preference for the glamour cities, and he thinks landing in Charlotte would be like a death sentence for his career.
Sadly, his current situation isn’t much better. Back in 2024, he signed with the 76ers, hoping to help them win a title as Joel Embiid’s newest co-star. At this stage of his career (35 years old), it made sense to pursue a championship opportunity, but it’s been a disaster so far.
Besides some of the worst statistical averages of his career (16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game last season), George had a miserable campaign, winning just 24 games as the 13th seed in the East. Still, he views the Hornets as the rock bottom of the NBA experience, and it says a lot about their current standing in the basketball hierarchy.
For years, the Hornets have struggled to not just stay relevant in the East, but stay out of the draft lottery. They’ve made just three playoff appearances since 2000 and have been in a constant state of chaos with front office instability and recent coaching changes. Worst of all, the franchise lacks a winning culture.
Decades of losing have corrupted the locker room, and the questionable leadership of guys like LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges has caused major doubts about their direction. So while the city of Charlotte may be nice enough on its own, the franchise is in such a poor state that George would consider his career over if he ever landed there.
It’s a tough reality check for the Charlotte Hornets, but teams like the Thunder and Pacers are living proof that you don’t need to be a popular team to be successful. In the modern NBA, the narrative is really starting to shift around how we think about small-market franchises, but the Hornets still remain stuck in purgatory.
It’s a tough reality check for the Charlotte Hornets, but not a hopeless one. Teams like the Thunder, Pacers, and Magic have proven that small-market franchises can rebuild their image with smart drafting, strong leadership, and player development. The Hornets still have time to course-correct, but until they establish a culture of accountability and sustained success, top stars like Paul George will continue to view them as a last resort, not a destination.
