Hornets lock in top picks as summer league title defense begins

The Charlotte Hornets have signed their two first-year draft selections to rookie contracts, solidifying the roster ahead of the team's bid to repeat as NBA Summer League champions. Yahoo News New Zealand reported that Hannes Steinbach, the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, inked his rookie-scale deal. The charlotteobserver.com added that second-round pick Christian Anderson Jr. also signed his first professional contract, giving the Hornets their full incoming rookie class.

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Yahoo News New ZealandNo. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach signs rookie contract with Hornetscharlotteobserver.comCharlotte Hornets rookies sign contracts as team prepares to defend summer league title

The signings come as Charlotte prepares to defend its Summer League championship. The team has been active in adding veteran presence and young talent around its new draft picks, according to the charlotteobserver.com. Alongside Steinbach and Anderson, the Hornets have brought in Michael Ajayi, Kylan Boswell, Coby White, and Dorian Finney-Smith, a mix of rookies and seasoned players who could feature in the summer competition.

Steinbach, selected with the 14th pick, is the highest-profile addition among the rookies. His signing marks the official start of his NBA career after a strong pre-draft process. The charlotteobserver.com noted that players reacted with enthusiasm to beginning their professional journeys, though specific quotes were not provided in the coverage.

The team's summer league preparations are underway as the Hornets look to build on last year's title. With the contracts finalized, both Steinbach and Anderson are expected to be key pieces in the summer rotation, alongside the newly acquired veterans who will provide depth and experience.