Charlotte just made a sneaky roster move that could completely change their frontcourt situation—and almost nobody's talking about it.
The Charlotte Hornets have been actively rotating their roster composition over the past several weeks, bringing in fresh faces while letting others go. Their most recent acquisition of Eric Dixon has sparked considerable attention and approval from basketball insiders across the league. Why? Because this strategic signing could provide Charlotte with a significant boost to their frontcourt depth, especially if the team decides they need reinforcements as the 2025-26 season progresses toward its midpoint.
Now, you might be scratching your head wondering why Charlotte seems to be playing musical chairs with young prospects—signing them one day, waiving them the next. Here's the inside scoop: the Hornets are utilizing what's called Exhibit 10 contracts, which is actually a clever financial strategy. These specialized agreements allow players to pocket a substantial bonus exceeding $85,000, provided they commit to spending a minimum of 60 days with the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte's G League development team. In simpler terms, every player who signs one of these Exhibit 10 deals maintains a realistic pathway to eventually earning a promotion to the NBA roster.
But here's where it gets interesting...
For the Hornets to actually execute such a call-up, they'd need to create an available spot on their main roster. That said, this obstacle might not pose as significant a challenge as you'd think. Industry insiders expect Charlotte to actively shop several of their veteran players on the trade market as the season unfolds, looking to accumulate valuable draft picks for future rebuilding efforts. Therefore, if Dixon manages to turn heads with his performances—most likely while dominating in the G League—the organization could strategically manufacture a roster opening specifically for him, whether through a standard NBA contract or via a two-way agreement.
Dixon Could Be the Missing Piece Charlotte Desperately Needs
This undrafted rookie prospect might just emerge as a hidden treasure for Buzz City, especially considering his absolutely dominant collegiate campaign last season. Dixon didn't just have a good year—he led every single NCAA Division I player in scoring, averaging an eye-popping 23.3 points per game. But what likely made Hornets head coach Charles Lee sit up and take notice was Dixon's remarkable shooting efficiency: he drained 40.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the three-point arc, demonstrating the kind of floor-spacing ability that's become essential in today's NBA.
However, Dixon's skill set extends far beyond simply putting the ball in the basket. The Villanova standout also pulled down 5.1 rebounds per contest, showcasing his ability to contribute on the glass and help his team control possessions. His well-rounded contributions earned him third-team All-American recognition, validating his status as one of college basketball's elite performers. Here's another intriguing connection: newly hired Hornets assistant coach Kyle Neptune spent the previous three seasons serving as Villanova's head coach, meaning he has intimate knowledge of Dixon's game, strengths, weaknesses, and exactly how to maximize his potential within an offensive system.
And this is the part most people miss...
It remains somewhat puzzling why the 24-year-old forward went completely unselected during this year's draft, especially given his impressive production. The Los Angeles Lakers recognized his value immediately, signing him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft concluded. Unfortunately for Dixon, a foot injury derailed his opportunity with the Lakers, prompting the organization to release him from their roster. That setback, however, opened the door for Charlotte to swoop in and offer him a second chance to prove he belongs at basketball's highest level.
Whether Dixon can ultimately crack the Hornets' regular rotation remains to be seen—only time will provide that answer. That said, Charlotte's glaring shortage of reliable power forwards who can consistently generate offense creates a legitimate opportunity for Dixon to earn a promotion. The pathway is there; he just needs to stay on the court and demonstrate that his collegiate scoring prowess translates to professional basketball, even at the G League level initially.
Here's the controversial question nobody wants to ask: Is Charlotte making a mistake by not giving Dixon an immediate roster spot, especially when you consider how thin they are at the four position? Some might argue that a player who dominated Division I basketball the way Dixon did deserves more than a G League audition. Others will counter that the undrafted route exists for a reason, and proving yourself in the developmental league is the appropriate filter.
What do you think? Should the Hornets have offered Dixon a guaranteed roster spot from day one, or is the Exhibit 10 contract the smart, low-risk approach? Could this move look genius six months from now, or will Charlotte regret not securing him more permanently before another team swoops in? Drop your thoughts in the comments—do you see Dixon as a future rotation player or just another G League journeyman?
