The Hornets, with cap space for the first time since 2016, will have around $27 million available. They must be careful not to rush their timeline and rather focus on continual development of their promising young players. With what will likely be the first Top 5 pick since 2013, the Hornets must nail this pick as they still do not have a clear No. 1 option.
Key: Not Guaranteed / Team Option / Player Option / Cap Hold / Dead Money
2020/21 season
| Terry Rozier | $18,900,000 |
| Cody Zeller | $15,415,730 |
| Malik Monk | $5,345,687 |
| PJ Washington | $4,023,600 |
| Miles Bridges | $3,934,320 |
| Cody Martin | $1,517,981 |
| Devonte Graham | $1,663,861 |
| Caleb Martin | $1,517,981 |
| Jalen McDaniels | $1,517,981 |
| Nicolas Batum | $27,130,434 |
| Dwayne Bacon | $2,023,150 |
| Kobi Simmons | $1,707,576 |
| Ray Spalding | $1,707,576 |
| Bismack Biyombo | $25,500,000 |
| Willy Hernangomez | $2,335,875 |
| FIRST-ROUND PICKS | $5,592,240 |
| ROSTER SPACE | $1,893,086 |
| CAP SPACE | $24,706,055 |
| CAP SPACE WITHOUT HOLDS | $63,572,472 |
| TAX SITUATION | -$59,550,406 |
2021/22 season
| Terry Rozier | $17,905,263 |
| Miles Bridges | $5,421,493 |
| PJ Washington | $4,215,120 |
| Cody Martin | $1,782,621 |
| Caleb Martin | $1,782,621 |
| Jalen McDaniels | $1,782,621 |
| Malik Monk | $13,364,218 |
| Devonte Graham | $2,079,826 |
| Nicolas Batum | $40,695,653 |
| Cody Zeller | $23,123,595 |
| FIRST-ROUND PICKS | $6,078,480 |
| ROSTER SPACE | $7,201,950 |
| CAP SPACE | $65,168,408 |
| CAP SPACE WITHOUT HOLDS | $150,510,180 |
| TAX SITUATION | -$119,892,882 |
2022/23 season
| PJ Washington | $5,808,435 |
| Jalen McDaniels | $1,930,681 |
| Miles Bridges | $16,264,479 |
| Caleb Martin | $2,312,196 |
| Cody Martin | $2,228,276 |
| FIRST-ROUND PICKS | $6,382,440 |
| ROSTER SPACE | $10,802,930 |
| CAP SPACE | $91,991,716 |
| CAP SPACE WITHOUT HOLDS | $119,179,107 |
| TAX SITUATION | -$152,741,565 |