Category: Charlotte Hornets Blog

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Hornets sign Xavier Sneed to 10-day contract

The Charlotte Hornets have signed forward Xavier Sneed to a 10-day contract.

Sneed averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 31.2 minutes per game across 32 contests (all starts) with the Greensboro Swarm this season. The veteran wing scored a career-high 30 points in a Greensboro Swarm win over the Windy City Bulls on Feb. 5, 2023 and totaled 20 or more points nine times this season. He made his NBA debut last season, appearing in nine games with Memphis and Utah.

He also played 15 games (14 starts) in 2021-22 with the Salt Lake City Stars and the Swarm, averaging 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.6 minutes per game. In 13 games (10 starts) with the Swarm in 2020-21, Sneed posted 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals in 23.3 minutes per game.

Hornets sign Nick Richards to multi-year contract extension

The Charlotte Hornets have signed center Nick Richards to a multi-year contract extension.

Per multiple reports, the extension is for three years, $15 million.

In 58 games (five starts) this season, Richards is averaging career highs in points (7.9), rebounds (6.1), blocks (1.1) and minutes per game (18.2). For his career, Richards has appeared in 126 games (10 starts), recording 5.0 points (62.9 FG%) and 3.6 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.

Per ESPN.com, “Richards, a player development revelation under Charlotte coach Steve Clifford, was extension eligible until June 30.”

The Hornets acquired Richards, who was originally selected by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft, via a draft night trade in exchange for a 2024 second-round draft pick. Richards signed a multi-year contract with the Hornets on Nov. 30, 2020.

Richards played three seasons (2017-20) at the University of Kentucky, averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 18.2 minutes per game across 105 contests (70 starts). As a junior in 2019-20, he posted 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game to lead the Wildcats to a regular-season SEC championship.

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball undergoes season-ending ankle surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has undergone surgery to address a fracture in his right ankle.

The injury was sustained in the third quarter of Charlotte’s win vs. Detroit on Monday.

Ball, who the team expects will make a full recovery, will miss the remainder of the season and further updates regarding his status will be provided as appropriate.

Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has appeared in 162 games (142 starts) in his three-year career, averaging 19.4 points (42.6 FG%, 37.7 3P%, 82.8 FT%), 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 31.8 minutes per game. He earned the first All-Star nod of his career in 2021-22, becoming the fourth-youngest All-Star in NBA history. Ball was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 2020-21.

A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Ball appeared in 36 games this season, posting 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.2 minutes per contest.

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball suffers fracture in right ankle

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball suffered a fracture in his right ankle in tonight’s home game vs. Detroit. Ball left the game in the third quarter and an x-ray taken at the arena revealed the fracture.

Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has appeared in 161 games (141 starts) in his career, averaging 19.4 points (42.5 FG%, 37.4 3P%, 83.0 FT%), 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 31.9 minutes per game. The Chino Hills, California product garnered 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year honors and earned the first All-Star selection of his career in 2021-22.

Ball will be listed as out for the Hornets’ next game vs. Phoenix on March 1 and updates regarding his status will be provided as appropriate.

Hornets trade Mason Plumlee to Clippers for Reggie Jackson

The LA Clippers this past Thursday acquired Mason Plumlee in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Reggie Jackson and a second-round draft pick, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

“Mason will help fortify our center position with his energy and playmaking ability,” said Frank. “He is an impressive passer with great vision. Our team will enjoy playing with him.”

Plumlee, 32, appeared in 56 games for the Hornets this season, averaging 12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Originally selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Plumlee has appeared in 717 games with the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Hornets, averaging 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 59.2% from the field. The 7-foot-0 center has also appeared in 60 career playoff games and was named to the 2013-14 All-Rookie First Team.

“Reggie has played a vital role in many of our finest moments,” said Frank. “Two years ago, he helped lead us to our first conference finals, and last season, he helped carry us when we were hampered by injuries. He made a lot of fans here, and a lot of friends. His name and his smile will always hold a special place in this organization’s heart.”

Jackson, 32, appeared in 52 games (38 starts) for the Clippers this season, averaging 10.9 points, 3.5 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes. The 6-foot-2 guard holds career averages of 12.9 points, 4.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 755 appearances across 12 NBA seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and Clippers. In his four seasons with the Clippers, Jackson ranks seventh in franchise history in total made three-pointers (392). Born in Pordenone, Italy, Jackson also appeared in 31 playoff games with the Clippers, averaging 12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 43.1% from three.

Four-team NBA trade sends Cam Reddish and Matisse Thybulle to Blazers, Josh Hart to Knicks

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired forward Cam Reddish, guard Ryan Arcidiacono and a 2023 first round pick from the New York Knicks in exchange for forward Josh Hart, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

Additionally, Portland acquires guard Matisse Thybulle from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2029 second round pick and sends a 2027 second round pick to the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte sends Jalen McDaniels and a 2024 second round pick to Philadelphia and receives a 2023 second round pick from the 76ers and guard/forward Svi Mykhailiuk from the Knicks.

RE-STATING SOME OF THE ABOVE: To complete the trade, Philadelphia dealt Thybulle to Portland and a 2023 second-round pick (most favorable of Atlanta, Brooklyn or Charlotte) to Charlotte. Portland traded its 2029 second-round selection to Philadelphia, a 2027 second-round pick (more favorable of New Orleans or Portland) to Charlotte, and Josh Hart and the draft rights to Bojan Dublijevic and Daniel Diez to New York. In addition to McDaniels, the Hornets traded New York’s 2024 second-round pick to the 76ers.

Reddish is averaging 8.4 points (44.9% FG, 30.4% 3-PT, 87.9% FT), 1.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 21.9 minutes per game in 20 games (eight starts) this season with New York. The former Duke University standout holds career averages of 10.2 points (39.3% FG, 32.3% 3-PT, 84.4% FT), 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 24.5 minutes in 153 games (70 starts) in three seasons for Atlanta and New York. Reddish was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 10th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

In 228 career games, Arcidiacono (aar-chee-dee-ACK-uh-no) has averaged 4.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game for Chicago and New York. After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Arcidiacono spent the 2016-17 season playing for the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, before signing a two-way contract with Chicago in 2017.

Originally selected by the Boston Celtics with the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Thybulle (thigh-bull) is averaging 2.7 points (43.1% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 75.0% FT) and 1.3 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game in 49 games (six starts) this season with the 76ers. In 245 career games (78 starts) with Philadelphia over four seasons, he has accrued career averages of 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assists in 19.8 minutes per game. The Australian guard was a two-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team selection in 2021 and 2022 and is the only NBA player to record at least 250 steals and 150 blocks since the 2020-21 season.

In a subsequent move, the Trail Blazers have waived Greg Brown III.

TNT adds January 26 Knicks at Celtics game to TV schedule, drops Bulls at Hornets

In NBA national TV news, on Thursday, January 26, TNT will now televise the Knicks at Celtics game, and have dropped the Bulls at Hornets.

The Celtics at 29-12 have the best record in the NBA, while the Knicks at 22-19 currently sit a respectable 7th in the Eastern conference.

The Bulls (19-22) are currently 10th in the East, while the Hornets (11-31) are just 14th.

Hornets guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. undergoes hand surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has undergone successful surgery to address a torn ligament in his left hand. He will be listed as out moving forward and updates regarding his return will be provided as appropriate.

In general, the amount of time it takes for a torn ligament in the hand to heal after surgery can vary depending on the specific location and severity of the injury, as well as the type of surgery that was performed.

In his eighth NBA season, Oubre Jr. is averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a career-best 1.6 steals in 32.6 minutes per game in 35 contests (30 starts). He is one of only seven NBA players to post at least 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. This season Oubre Jr. has recorded career-best streaks of 34 consecutive double-figure scoring games and nine straight games with at least 20 points (Nov. 25 – Dec. 14).

In 514 career games (192 starts), Oubre Jr. has averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.7 minutes per game.

Charlotte Hornets to honor Paul Silas with a commemorative patch

The Charlotte Hornets announced today the team’s plans to honor the legacy of former head coach Paul Silas, who passed away during the weekend.

Prior to Wednesday’s game vs. Detroit, the Hornets will hold a moment of silence and show a video tribute in recognition of Silas.

Starting with tomorrow’s game and throughout the remainder of the 2022-23 NBA season, the Hornets coaching staff will have a commemorative “Silas” patch on the left sleeve of the pullovers they wear on the bench. The commemorative black patch is in the shape of the traditional Hornets cell pattern with the pattern’s outline and the “Silas” wordmark in teal.

ABOUT PAUL SILAS

Paul Silas spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets across two different stints with the franchise. During his first tenure, in which he spent two-and-a-half seasons as an assistant coach before becoming interim head coach to conclude the 1998-99 season, he posted a record of 161-120 (.573). In each of his three full seasons, the Hornets won at least 44 games and made the playoffs, advancing to the second round in both 2000-01 and 2001-02. He returned to Charlotte to once again become interim head coach during the 2010-11 season and remained the team’s head coach in 2011-12.

Silas ranks third in franchise history in games coached (401), games won (193) and winning percentage (.481), and is the all-time leader in each of the three categories for playoff games with an overall record of 11-12 (.478) in 23 games total. He is the only head coach in franchise history to lead the team to three playoff appearances and two Eastern Conference Semifinals appearances. The team’s three straight playoff berths from 1999-2000 through 2001-02 is the only time in franchise history that the Hornets have gone to the playoffs in three straight seasons.

Following four years at Creighton in which he became one of only five players in NCAA history to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in his college career, Silas played 16 seasons in the NBA, where he was a three-time NBA Champion (1973-74 Celtics, 1975-76 Celtics and 1978-79 SuperSonics) and a two-time NBA All-Star (1971-72 and 1974-75). He retired after the 1979-80 season and immediately became head coach of the San Diego Clippers, spending three seasons in the role. In 12 seasons overall as an NBA head coach, Silas had a career record of 387-488 (.442).

Former NBA star player and coach Paul Silas has passed away

STATEMENT FROM CHARLOTTE HORNETS CHAIRMAN MICHAEL JORDAN

Charlotte Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan released the following statement today regarding the passing of former Head Coach Paul Silas:

“Our Hornets family mourns the passing of Paul Silas. Paul was an incredible leader and motivator who served as our head coach on two occasions. He combined the knowledge developed over nearly 40 years as an NBA player and coach with an innate understanding of how to mix discipline with his never-ending positivity. On or off the court, Paul’s enthusiastic and engaging personality was accompanied by an anecdote for every occasion. He was one of the all-time great people in our game, and he will be missed. My thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire organization, are with his wife, Carolyn; his children, Paula and Stephen; and the entire Silas family.”

ABOUT PAUL SILAS

Paul Silas spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets across two different stints with the franchise. During his first tenure, in which he spent two-and-a-half seasons as an assistant coach before becoming interim head coach to conclude the 1998-99 season, he posted a record of 161-120 (.573). In each of his three full seasons, the Hornets won at least 44 games and made the playoffs, advancing to the second round in both 2000-01 and 2001-02. He returned to Charlotte to once again become interim head coach during the 2010-11 season and remained the team’s head coach in 2011-12.

Silas ranks third in franchise history in games coached (401), games won (193) and winning percentage (.481), and is the all-time leader in each of the three categories for playoff games with an overall record of 11-12 (.478) in 23 games total. He is the only head coach in franchise history to lead the team to three playoff appearances and two Eastern Conference Semifinals appearances. The team’s three straight playoff berths from 1999-2000 through 2001-02 is the only time in franchise history that the Hornets have gone to the playoffs in three straight seasons.

Following four years at Creighton in which he became one of only five players in NCAA history to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in his college career, Silas played 16 seasons in the NBA, where he was a three-time NBA Champion (1973-74 Celtics, 1975-76 Celtics and 1978-79 SuperSonics) and a two-time NBA All-Star (1971-72 and 1974-75). He retired after the 1979-80 season and immediately became head coach of the San Diego Clippers, spending three seasons in the role. In 12 seasons overall as an NBA head coach, Silas had a career record of 387-488 (.442).

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS STATEMENT ON PAUL SILAS

Paul Silas served as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-05. His engaging presence and huge personality inspired legions of NBA players and coaches. We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him. Rest in power Coach!