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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. finishes defeat with 12 points
Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 1:32 PM
Nick Smith Jr. shot 4-of-16 from the field in Wednesday's 89-84 loss to Boston, tallying 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, one blocked shot, and four 3-pointers in 33 minutes.
Analysis: Smith did not shoot the ball well on Wednesday, but he did manage to record a full stat line. With Brandon Miller done for the summer, the 27th overall pick in last year's draft is one Hornets player with more opportunities to shine offensively. Smith may have struggled on Wednesday but has played well in Las Vegas overall. As for his fantasy prospects in 2024-25, it will be tough sledding with a healthy LaMelo Ball (ankle) in the lineup. |
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Seth Curry Woj: Hornets sign Seth Curry to one-year deal
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 4:17 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have signed Seth Curry to a one-year deal.
Analysis: Curry is back with Charlotte after the team waived him before the start of free agency. Traded to his hometown team in February as part of the PJ Washington deal, the veteran guard averaged 9.0 points per game in eight appearances for the Hornets. Curry is unlikely to impact fantasy hoops next season. |
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Emoni Bates Tidjane Salaun (knee) plays 14 MIN in summer debut
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 1:17 PM
Tidjane Salaun amassed eight points (3-of-7 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, and one assist in 14 minutes in Saturday's 94-90 win over the Knicks.
Analysis: Having missed the California Classic due to a left knee laceration, Salaun debuted on Saturday afternoon. He was tentative in the first half, but the rookie ramped things up in the second. With Brandon Miller likely done for the remainder of summer league (he played 33 minutes on Saturday), there should be more room for Salaun to make things happen offensively. |
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Brandon Miller Brandon Miller tallies 23 points in win over NYK
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 1:13 PM
Brandon Miller finished Saturday's 94-90 win over New York with 23 points (7-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, and five 3-pointers in 33 minutes.
Analysis: After spending last week with the United States select team, Miller made his first appearance of this summer on Saturday afternoon. He shot the ball well, and while the seven turnovers weren't great, that isn't something the Hornets will be too concerned about. Miller flourished as his rookie campaign progressed, but that was with LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams sidelined due to injury. With those two and Miles Bridges on the floor with him, Miller is still a player with top-75 fantasy potential. |
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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. scores team-high 24 points vs. NYK
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 1:04 PM
Nick Smith Jr. shot 9-of-17 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday's 94-90 win over the Knicks, accumulating 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 28 minutes.
Analysis: After finishing the California Classic with a solid showing against the Kings, Smith shot the ball much better in his Las Vegas opener. He got to his spots offensively, finishing with his highest point total of the summer thus far. Smith faces a bit of a logjam on the perimeter heading into next season, especially with LaMelo Ball returning from ankle surgery. However, playing for a new coaching staff could get Smith a more extended look once training camp begins. |
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Taj Gibson Woj: Hornets sign Taj Gibson to one-year contract
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 5:03 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets have signed Taj Gibson to a one-year, $3.3 million contract.
Analysis: While Gibson's days of legitimate fantasy relevance are in the rearview mirror, this is a good move by the Hornets. The rebuilding franchise needed an âadult in the room,â a player who could positively influence the locker room, and adding Gibson addresses that issue. He spent last season with the Knicks and Pistons, appearing in 20 games (16 for New York). |
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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. posts full line in win over Kings
Tue, Jul 9, 2024, 6:05 PM
Nick Smith Jr. posted a full line on Tuesday with 11 points (4-of-16 FGs), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one triple against Sacramento.
Analysis: Smith Jr. was able to contribute a little bit in every category in this game, but the shooting woes continued. He is now 8-of-33 from the floor through two games this summer, which isn't ideal for a player heading into his second season. Smith Jr. was once a five-star prospect, but he slipped in the draft after a disappointing season at Arkansas. He didn't have a great rookie season, even with LaMelo Ball injured. If he doesn't turn things around this summer, it will be difficult to be optimistic about him heading into this season. |
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Mouhamadou Gueye Mouhamadou Gueye scores game-high 21 points
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 5:01 PM
Mouhamadou Gueye tallied 21 points (9-of-14 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, two steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers in 22 minutes in Saturday's 97-65 win over San Antonio.
Analysis: After spending last season with the Raptors on a two-way contract, Gueye is playing for the Hornets this summer. And he made quite the impression on Saturday, displaying his full potential on both ends of the floor. Impactful as a defender, Gueye also showed off the ability to score from just about anywhere on the court. Charlotte will have Mark Williams and Nick Richards under contract for next season, but Gueye's primary focus this summer will be on earning an invite to training camp. |
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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr struggles with shot in summer opener
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 4:54 PM
Nick Smith Jr. shot 4-of-17 from the field in Saturday's 97-65 win over the Spurs, accumulating ten points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers in 25 minutes.
Analysis: New Hornets head coach Charles Lee had to be pleased with what he saw from the âSummer Hornetsâ on Saturday. However, Smith's shooting struggles were one of the lone negatives. While fellow rookie Brandon Miller improved throughout last season, Smith could not crack the rotation, averaging 14.3 minutes per game in 51 appearances. With starting point guard LaMelo Ball due to return from injury and the Hornets adding Josh Green via trade, this is a big summer for Smith regarding his ability to earn rotation minutes in training camp potentially. |
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Aleksej Pokusevski Shams: Hornets waiving Aleksej Pokusevski
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 9:36 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Charlotte is waiving Aleksej Pokusevski.
Analysis: Pokusevski was one of several former Oklahoma City Thunder players who came to Charlotte via midseason trade in 2023-24. The young stretch four averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game with the Hornets. It doesn't seem like he's solidified himself as a legitimate rotation player, so his fantasy appeal as a free agent is low ahead of 2024-25. |
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Miles Bridges Shams: Miles Bridges re-signing with Hornets
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 9:02 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Miles Bridges is re-signing with the Hornets on a three-year, $75 million deal.
Analysis: Charlotte held on to Bridges when off-court issues kept him away for a while and has secured him for three more seasons. He led Charlotte with a career-high 21.0 points per game last season and can put together an even better fantasy season next year should he be available from the start with LaMelo Ball setting the table for him. |
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Davis Bertans Woj: Hornets waiving Davis Bertans
Sat, Jul 6, 2024, 8:09 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets are waiving Bertans.
Analysis: Bertans averaged 8.8 points and shot 37.5% from deep through 28 games with the Hornets. The stretch big man will enter free agency after failing to break into a rotation following his time with the Washington Wizards. He isn't likely to command much fantasy value. |
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Emoni Bates Tidjane Salaun (knee) to sit out Calif. minicamp
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 2:27 PM
Hornets PR on Twitter
Tidjane Salaun suffered a minor laceration near his knee and will not participate in the Hornets' upcoming minicamp in Sacramento.
Analysis: The sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Salaun is dealing with a minor laceration that will keep him out of the Hornets' summer minicamp. The team announced he would be available for the Vegas Summer League, but nothing was mentioned regarding the rookie's availability for this week's California Classic in Sacramento. Don't expect to see Salaun in action until Las Vegas. |
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Emoni Bates KJ Simpson (hamstring) to sit out Summer League
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 2:23 PM
Hornets PR on Twitter
KJ Simpson injured his hamstring during the pre-draft process and will not play in Summer League this month.
Analysis: Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, injured his hamstring during a pre-draft workout. The Hornets say he will not participate in the California Classic (Sacramento) or Vegas Summer League. The expectation is that Simpson will be ready when training camp opens in September. |
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Josh Green Josh Green sent to Hornets in Klay sign-and-trade
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 8:40 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on X
Josh Green has been sent to Charlotte as part of the sign-and-trade that will bring Klay Thompson to Dallas.
Analysis: The full details of the deal haven't been released, but it is clear that Green will be part of a Hornets team that is looking to be more successful after two straight lottery seasons. Green will have a chance to start, but even if he plays a reserve role, he will still see big minutes. His fantasy upside was limited in Dallas, but he may get the chance to have the ball in his hands more on a team that isn't quite as centered around one or two ball handlers. |
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Reggie Jackson Woj: DEN to trade Reggie Jackson to Hornets
Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 4:44 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nuggets will trade Reggie Jackson and three future second-round picks to the Hornets.
Analysis: Three days after it was reported that Jackson would opt into the final year of his contract, he's headed to Charlotte. Given the career timeline, with Jackson moving from a title contender to a rebuilding team, the Hornets may buy him out or look to move the point guard elsewhere. If Jackson sticks in Charlotte, he could have some value backing up the oft-injured LaMelo Ball. For Denver, this move is about the money, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will enter free agency, and Jamal Murray is on the verge of agreeing to an extension worth over $200 million. |
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Emoni Bates Charlotte nabs KJ Simpson with 42nd pick
Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 4:16 PM
The Hornets have selected KJ Simpson with the No. 42 pick in the draft.
Analysis: 6'1.5â guards aren't always appealing in the modern NBA, but Simpson meets the criteria. He plays much bigger than his listed height, and he averaged 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 triples on elite shooting splits last season. He'll be 22 years old before the season starts, but aside from his age and size, Simpson is an excellent prospect. He checks a lot of boxes, and while smaller guards have natural limitations on defense, he shouldn't be a liability on that end. He was one of the most productive prospects in college basketball last season, and it is difficult to find holes in his game. He'll compete with Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic for the role of backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball. If he earns the job, he could be a productive player, though his upside will be capped in a reserve role. |
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Emoni Bates Tidjane Salaun drafted No. 6 by Charlotte
Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 7:48 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
The Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun with the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Analysis: Salaun, an 18-year-old forward from France, has been playing for Cholet Basket since 2021. A smooth forward who reportedly has a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 3-pointers in 22.7 minutes per game this season. Salaun starred at the 2023 Basketball Without Borders camp during NBA All-Star Weekend, and the potential is there for him to be a problem on both ends of the floor at either forward position. The height of Salaun's NBA ceiling depends on his growth as a perimeter shooter and playmaker, as the physical tools and motor are there for him to be an impactful defender. He'll be an intriguing option who could see plenty of minutes right out of the gate for the rebuilding Hornets. |
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Miles Bridges Report: Hornets open to Miles Bridges sign & trade
Fri, Jun 21, 2024, 4:52 PM
According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Hornets are open to parting with Miles Bridges via sign-and-trade.
Analysis: After missing the regular season's first ten games due to a league suspension, Bridges posted gaudy individual numbers for one of the NBA's worst teams. Charlotte refrained from trading him at the February deadline, and Bridges will be an unrestricted free agent on June 30. According to Fischer, Bridges is expected to command at least $30 million per year in his new deal, and Charlotte would open to a sign-and-trade if the right opportunity presented itself. After pleading no contest to domestic violence charges in 2023, Bridges was sentenced to three years of probation. Three charges in connection to an alleged violation of a protective order taken out by the mother of Bridges' children were dismissed in February 2024. |
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Emoni Bates Woj: Hornets hire Charles Lee as next head coach
Thu, May 9, 2024, 2:54 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on X
The Hornets have signed Charles Lee to a four-year deal to be their next head coach, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Analysis: Lee has spent the past 12 years coaching in the NBA after playing professionally overseas for a few seasons. Lee spent time on Mike Budenholzer's staff in both Atlanta and Milwaukee, and he is currently the top assistant coach for Boston. When the Celtics' postseason run ends, Lee's focus will shift to helping Charlotte through their rebuild. |
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