The Charlotte Hornets will decline a fourth-year team option on former UConn men’s basketball star James Bouknight‘s contract, according to multiple reports.
The $6.1 million option would have kept him in Charlotte, but Bouknight will now become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The 23-year-old guard is set to make $4.5 million this season, which will be the last on his rookie contract.
The Charlotte Hornets are declining the fourth-year option ($6.1 million) on 2021 No. 11 pick James Bouknight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 31, 2023
NBA rookie contracts for first-round picks are guaranteed for the first two years, with the team having the option to extend in years three and four. Teams must decide to opt-in a year in advance.
The Hornets selected Bouknight with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft after two seasons at UConn, in which he averaged 15 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He’s yet to live up to expectations in the NBA, however, appearing in 65 games over two seasons in Charlotte and averaging 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game.
Bouknight has split time between the Hornets and their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. He posted 17.6 points in 24 minutes per game in Greensboro last season.
Bouknight has also run into off-the-court issues during his time in Charlotte. Last October, he was reportedly found intoxicated and unconscious with his car in drive and while holding a Glock handgun in a parking area in North Carolina. He was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, and released on $2,500 bond.
Police said Bouknight refused to comply with commands once he was awake, and appeared confused for several minutes. He then ate food and crashed into two police cars, according to the police report. A breathalyzer test reportedly confirmed his blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit.
The former UConn standout has yet to play this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscus issue in his left knee following an injury in training camp on Oct. 5. There is no timetable yet for his return.