Official waiver in Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets have waived guard Kobe Stewart with immediate effect, leaving him without an NBA team after just three days on their preseason roster. The move, recorded on September 7, confirms his exit from the franchise and opens the door to a G League pathway.
The transaction appears on NBA.com oficial and was detailed by Hoops Rumors, which places the waiver three days after Stewart signed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract with Charlotte on September 4.
Stewart profile
Stewart, a 24-year-old 6-foot-6 wing, went undrafted in 2025 after five seasons at Presbyterian College. As a super senior he averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 33 games. His first pro season split time between the G League —46 games with the Austin Spurs, Memphis Hustle and Wisconsin Herd, averaging 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.0 minutes— and the Milwaukee Bucks Summer League, where he played six games with 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 12.8 minutes.
What the waiver means
Once off the Hornets roster, Stewart no longer occupies a preseason spot and becomes a free agent until his next step is finalized. The most likely path within Charlotte project leads to the Greensboro Swarm, the franchise G League affiliate.
If he lands with the Swarm and spends at least 60 days in the G League, he could earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $91,000. For that to happen, Greensboro would need to acquire his returning-player rights from the Wisconsin Herd via a G League trade.
Roster context
The waiver fits the pattern Charlotte has repeated this preseason: sign development players on Exhibit 10 deals, clear the roster spot before the regular season and secure their pathway to Greensboro. After Stewart departure, the Hornets are down to 20 players under contract, one shy of the offseason limit, and have already signed Bez Mbeng to rotate through that slot.
For Stewart, the move does not shut the door on Charlotte ecosystem; the waiver is part of the intended pathway for Exhibit 10 players seeking minutes and continuity in the G League.
