Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets and head coach James Borrego are reportedly finalizing a multiyear contract extension ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news Saturday. Further details were not released.

Borrego signed a four-year contract with the Hornets in May 2018 that would have expired after next season.

The 43-year-old New Mexico native has helped guide the team through a rebuild, posting a 95-124 record across three seasons. Charlotte reached the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a 33-39 mark in 2020-21 but was eliminated by the Indiana Pacers.

Borrego, a forward at the University of San Diego from 1998 through 2001, started his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater for two seasons.

He made the jump to the NBA as an assistant video coordinator for Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 and became an assistant coach until 2010. Along with a second stint with the Spurs, he also made stops with the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic before being hired by Charlotte. He compiled a 10-20 record as the Magic's interim head coach during the 2014-15 campaign.

Borrego told reporters after the Hornets were eliminated from the play-in tournament that their poor finish to the season—including losses in the final six games—could help:

Every great team, every great player has been hit in the mouth to close the season—every one of them. I have yet to see a player or organization from day one where they come out and are just rolling. It just doesn't happen. This is the fire you have to go through—and we're in that fire right now. It's disappointing, it hurts and it's frustrating, but this is what gets you up in the summertime to get in the gym, get in the weight room and get better.

Charlotte has built a promising core of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, and this offseason it reportedly added Kelly Oubre Jr., selected James Bouknight with the 11th pick in the draft and traded for Kai Jones, whom the New York Knicks drafted at No. 19.

In turn, Borrego and the Hornets will be expected to take another step forward in 2021-22.

Kelly Oubre Jr. may have found a new home with the Charlotte Hornets, according to David Aldridge of The Athletic. The free-agent wing is reportedly in discussions with Charlotte, though no deal is imminent. 

Oubre is looking to join his fourth NBA team a year after averaging 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 55 games for the Golden State Warriors. He was traded to the Bay Area after Klay Thompson suffered a torn Achilles tendon just ahead of the regular season.

Veteran free agent forward Kelly Oubre is in discussions with the Charlotte Hornets, per sources. There’s no agreement tonight, but talks are ongoing. Could be a good fit with a young, athletic Hornets team. Averaged 15.4 ppg for the Warriors last season.

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 6, 2021

The 25-year-old Kansas product previously played for the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards. 

It's unclear what type of deal Oubre is seeking after completing a two-year, $30 million deal originally signed with Phoenix. The first year of the deal worked out exceptionally well. Oubre averaged a career-best 18.7 points per game while shooting 35.2 percent from behind the arc. In 34.5 minutes per night, Oubre shot 45.2 percent from the floor, grabbed 6.4 boards and proved a reliable defender. 

Then came Year 2. 

Oubre regressed with the Warriors to 15.4 points per night as he struggled to find his rhythm from three-point range early in the year. Through his first 20 outings, the small forward sank just 23-of-101 three-pointers—a stretch that began with Oubre missing all but one of his first 25 attempts. 

The Warriors tumultuous season ended with a play-in tournament elimination and sent Oubre to free agency. 

Now he may go from a title contender trying to recapture its prime to a young team on the cusp of becoming a threat in the Eastern Conference. With LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward, the Hornets appear to be nearing the end of their rebuild.

Adding Oubre would only speed that process up. If last season was truly an off year for Oubre, Charlotte could be getting a steal in the open market. 

   

Ish Smith and the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a one-year deal, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Smith, an 11-year NBA veteran, averaged 6.7 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game for the Washington Wizards last season.

The 33-year-old point guard will be joining his 12th NBA team, which ties a league record, per NBC Sports Washington's Chase Hughes.

Smith's Hornets tenure will mark a return to his home state. He was born in Charlotte, went to high school in Concord and played college ball for Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.

The Hornets have shaken up their roster this offseason. Gone are big man Cody Zeller, point guard Devonte' Graham and shooting guard Malik Monk. Center Bismack Biyombo, who has played his last three years in Charlotte, is still a free agent.

Big man Mason Plumlee has joined the team following a trade with the Detroit Pistons. Charlotte also selected James Bouknight, Scottie Lewis and Balsa Koprivica in the 2021 NBA draft.

Smith added some guard depth to a Hornets team looking for some minus Graham and Monk. He'll likely slot in as Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball's backup.

The Hornets improved to 33-39 in 2020-21 after a 23-42 season the year before. They qualified for the play-in tournament but fell to the Indiana Pacers in the first game.

Charlotte is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The Charlotte Hornets released their NBA Summer League roster Monday, and it includes LiAngelo Ball, the brother of Hornets star and reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball.

The roster also features 2021 draft picks James Bouknight (No. 11 overall) and Kai Jones (No. 19). The competition is set to kick off Aug. 8 in Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old Ball is trying to join brothers LaMelo and Lonzo Ball in the NBA. He signed with the Detroit Pistons in December but was waived before making an appearance.

The 6'5" guard was a 3-star recruit out of California's Chino Hills High School and followed Lonzo's path to UCLA. However, he was suspended before playing a game after a shoplifting incident in China and withdrew from the school.

This prompted a bizarre path for Ball's basketball career, featuring stints in Lithuania and the Junior Basketball Association, a league created by his father, LaVar Ball. He signed a G League contract during the 2019-20 season but never saw action as the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the season.

He has another chance to show what he can do for a professional team, this time with the Hornets. Charlotte has a deep backcourt that features LaMelo, Terry Rozier and Bouknight, but LiAngelo could play alongside his brother next season if things go well this summer.

The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly declined a $7 million qualifying offer to shooting guard Malik Monk for the 2021-22 NBA season.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hornets are going to let Monk become an unrestricted free agent. 

Monk, who averaged a career-best 11.7 points in 42 games last season, has mostly struggled to reach expectations across his first four NBA seasons since the Hornets selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The 23-year-old University of Kentucky product averaged 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field across 55 games during the 2019-20 campaign. He ranked 106th out of 138 qualified shooting guards in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus.

After the Hornets selected Connecticut shooting guard James Bouknight with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Monk would have been a superfluous piece on the roster. 

In October 2019, Monk explained his growth as a player needed to start with becoming more aggressive offensively.

"I was being way too passive, thinking way too much, trying to get other people involved," he told reporters. "I've just got to attack and the game will come to me. Me attacking will open up passing lanes and everything for everybody else. So I've just got to keep doing that."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nTW62GA960

A major concern in prior years was a lack of three-point efficiency.

Monk averaged 2.7 threes while shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc during his only collegiate season with the Wildcats. He entered last season with a career three-point percentage of 32.2, but he showcased significant progress in 2020-21, shooting 40.1 percent from deep.

That improvement provided a glimpse of the untapped potential the dynamic guard still possesses. He hasn't developed quite as quickly as the Hornets hoped, but he's still in his early 20s with a chance to carve out a long, successful career in the NBA.

Monk is now set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason with Charlotte opting against the qualifying offer, which would have made him a restricted free agent and given the team the right to match any offer sheet he received.

It'll be interesting to see how much interest he receives on the free-agent market. He could be an under-the-radar target for a contender that's seeking an offensive-minded upgrade for its bench, and he may still grow into a larger role over time.

 

The Charlotte Hornets turned to the frontcourt Thursday after Auburn forward JT Thor with the No. 37 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft.

Charlotte reportedly acquired the selection earlier in the evening when it sent the No. 57 selection in this year's NBA draft to the Detroit Pistons for No. 37 overall and center Mason Plumlee, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

While the 18-year-old didn't marvel from a statistical standpoint during his one collegiate season, he brings a high ceiling as a versatile and athletic big who can capitalize on matchup problems.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: JT Thor

Position: PF

Height: 6'10"

Pro Comparison: Wenyen Gabriel

Scouting Report: Thor will require patience, but for a 6'10" forward, his shooting, ability to put the ball down and defensive mobility are selling points for today's NBA.

Hornets Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Gordon Hayward, SF: $30M (2024)

Terry Rozier, PG: $18.9M (2022)

LaMelo Ball, PG: $8.0M (2024)

Miles Bridges, SF: $4.1M (2022)

P.J. Washington, PF: $4.0M (2023)

James Bouknight, SG: $3.5M (projected first-year salary, per RealGM)

Kai Jones, PF: $2.3M (projected first-year salary, per RealGM)

Vernon Carey Jr., C: $2.2M (2024)

Jalen McDaniels, PF: $1.5M (2023)

Cody Martin, SF: $1.5M (2022)

Nick Richards, C: $1.4M (2023)

Caleb Martin, SF: $1.4M (2022)

JT Thor, PF (No. 37 overall pick)

Scottie Lewis, SG (No. 56 overall pick)

   

Free Agents

Cody Zeller, C: UFA

Malik Monk, SG: RFA

Bismack Biyombo, C: UFA

Brad Wanamaker, PG: UFA

Devonte' Graham, PG: RFA

Grant Riller, PG: RFA

Nate Darling, SG: RFA

 

He arrived at Auburn as a 4-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. However, he didn't quite live up to the hype and averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from three-point range.

Thor is athletic enough to work in pick-and-rolls and run to the rim at the next level on the offensive side, although he will need to make more of his outside shots to fully realize his potential. Defensively, he is versatile enough to guard multiple positions and provide rim protection for Charlotte.

The Hornets also added another big man in Texas' Kai Jones earlier in the evening at No. 19. Charlotte started its draft by picking UConn guard James Bouknight at No. 11. Charlotte ended its night by taking Florida guard Scottie Lewis at No. 56.

The Charlotte Hornets took a chance on one of the big men with the most upside in the 2021 NBA draft class after Texas' Kai Jones went No. 19 overall on Thursday.

The New York Knicks originally owned the No. 19 selection but reportedly dealt it to the Hornets for a future first-round pick, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

While Jones wasn't always consistent from a statistical standpoint during his time with the Longhorns, he brings a high ceiling to the NBA level.

       

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Kai Jones

Position: PF

Height: 6'11"

Pro Comparison: Jonathan Isaac

Scouting Report: Foot speed and explosive leaping ability set Jones apart. However, flashes of spot-up shooting and fluid drives past closeouts suggest there is more scoring versatility to unlock.

         

Hornets Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Gordon Hayward, SF: $30M (2024)

Terry Rozier, PG: $18.9M (2022)

LaMelo Ball, PG: $8.0M (2024)

Miles Bridges, SF: $4.1M (2022)

P.J. Washington, PF: $4.0M (2023)

James Bouknight, SG: $3.5M (projected first-year salary, per RealGM)

Kai Jones, PF: $2.3M (projected first-year salary, per RealGM)

Vernon Carey Jr., C: $2.2M (2024)

Jalen McDaniels, PF: $1.5M (2023)

Cody Martin, SF: $1.5M (2022)

Nick Richards, C: $1.4M (2023)

Caleb Martin, SF: $1.4M (2022)

JT Thor, PF (No. 37 overall pick)

Scottie Lewis, SG (No. 56 overall pick)

   

Free Agents

Cody Zeller, C: UFA

Malik Monk, SG: RFA

Bismack Biyombo, C: UFA

Brad Wanamaker, PG: UFA

Devonte' Graham, PG: RFA

Grant Riller, PG: RFA

Nate Darling, SG: RFA

Jones arrived at Texas as a 4-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He was a secondary contributor as a freshman but averaged 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game as a sophomore while shooting 58 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range.

His agility immediately stands out, which helps him get out in transition and throw down dunks as a rim-runner in half-court sets.

Jones' ability to shoot from the outside will also help create matchup problems at the next level, and he has the profile to develop into a rim protector on the defensive side as he grows in the NBA with Charlotte.

The Hornets added Jones to a roster that also welcomed UConn guard James Bouknight at No. 11 overall Thursday. In the second round, Charlotte took Auburn big man JT Thor (No. 37) and Florida guard Scottie Lewis (No. 56).

The Charlotte Hornets are among the teams showing interest in free-agent center Richaun Holmes, according to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

Holmes is coming off a career year with the Sacramento Kings, setting new highs with averages of 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

The 27-year-old mostly came off the bench earlier in his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns, but he found a more consistent role with the Kings and started all 61 games he played in 2020-21 while averaging 29.2 minutes per game.

Though Sacramento finished 31-41 last season, the squad was 8.4 points per 100 possessions better with Holmes on the court compared to when he was off of it, per Basketball Reference.

He also led the team with 6.1 win shares, ahead of more prominent players like De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield.

The 2015 second-round pick will look to turn that into a big payday in free agency with plenty of teams likely seeking an upgrade in the post.

Charlotte could especially use some balance down low with most of its production coming from perimeter players, including Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball. Centers Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo are also free agents this offseason, leaving the 6'7" P.J. Washington as the best option at center.

Holmes would fill the hole at center while giving the team a boost on both ends of the court.

It could help the Hornets take another step toward the playoffs after going five straight years without a postseason berth.

The Indiana Pacers are expected to "once again [gauge] the trade market" for Myles Turner this offseason, according to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among those who have shown interest in the 6'11" center.

Sooner or later, the Pacers will probably split up Turner and Domantas Sabonis. They don't complement one another that well, and flipping one of the two would help Indiana address another area of the court. 

Considering Sabonis is a two-time All-Star, Turner seems the most likely to go. He's also signed for one fewer year than Sabonis.

Center is an obvious area of need for Charlotte since Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo are both free agents. That's part of the reason the Hornets had been considered an option for Andre Drummond prior to him signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

And in general, Charlotte has to be aggressive in pursuing proven stars because it's not a marquee destination for free agents.

The Pelicans are less of a fit at the moment. Zion Williamson is New Orleans' cornerstone, and the team handed a two-year, $35 million extension to Steven Adams after acquiring him from the Oklahoma City Thunder last year.

B/R's Dan Favale proposed a three-team trade that involved the Pacers, Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs with Turner winding up in New Orleans and Adams going to San Antonio.

If general manager Trajan Langdon could find a taker for Adams, then Turner would make more sense as a traditional rim protector to take the defensive pressure off Williamson.

Free-agent shooting guard LiAngelo Ball is reportedly "expected" to sign a contract with the Charlotte Hornets to play for the NBA team's summer-league squad.

Roderick Boone of SI.com's All Hornets reported Saturday the signing is "on track to happen" before summer-league play begins Aug. 8 in Las Vegas.

Ball, 22, is the older brother of the Hornets' LaMelo Ball (19) and the younger brother of the New Orleans Pelicans' Lonzo Ball (23).

The California native went undrafted in 2018 after stints with Lithuania's BC Prienai and the Los Angeles Ballers of the JBA, a now-defunct league created by his father, LaVar Ball.

Ball signed a contract with the G League's Oklahoma City Blue in March 2020 but wasn't able to make an appearance for the club before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the remainder of the campaign.

He signed an Exhibit 10 contract, a deal that gives also gives the team a player's G League rights, with the Detroit Pistons in December. He was waived after less than two weeks because of an ankle injury that prevented him from making any appearances.

The guard has recently been working out with the Hornets, which is why he popped up in an Instagram post by Charlotte point guard Devonte' Graham, per Boone.

Ball had shown promise as a potential sharpshooter while with Prienai, knocking down 41.5 percent of his three-point attempts across 14 games, but he's struggled to find a permanent home in recent years because of injuries and the pandemic.

Charlotte, which ranked 14th in three-point shooting percentage (36.9 percent) during the 2020-21 campaign, could use another reserve who can knock down outside shots.

During the summer league, Ball is expected to play alongside Vernon Carey Jr., Nick Richards and the prospect the Hornets select with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NBA draft on Thursday night, according to Boone.

A strong showing should at least earn him an extended look in the G League next season.