Charlotte Hornets Blog – Page 30 – NBA Blog

Hornets sign first-round draft pick Noah Vonleh

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed first-round draft pick Noah Vonleh. The Hornets selected Vonleh, a 6-10 forward, with the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

All NBA first round draft picks are guaranteed to receive a contract, assuming they wish to come to the league right away. So, this signing is standard and was expected.

An early entry candidate, Vonleh was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Big Ten in 2013-14 at Indiana University after averaging 11.3 points, a Big Ten-high 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game. The team’s leader in rebounding and blocks, Vonleh shot .523 from the field (113-216), .485 from beyond the three-point line (16-33) and .716 from the free-throw line (96-134). In 30 games played, he scored in double figures 19 times and grabbed double-figure rebounds on 13 occasions, tallying 10 double-doubles. In addition to leading the conference in rebounding, he ranked third in the Big Ten in field goal percentage and eighth in blocks.

Vonleh, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week seven times during the season, participated in the McDonald’s All-America game, the Jordan Brand Classic and for the U.S. team at the Nike Hoop Summit as a high school senior in 2012-13.

Hornets re-sign Jannero Pargo

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has re-signed guard Jannero Pargo.

“We’re pleased that Jannero will be back with us again this season,” Cho said. “He is a great veteran presence in our locker room who is always ready when called upon.”

The 6-1 Pargo has seen action in 47 games for the team after initially joining the franchise on March 14, 2013, when he signed the first of two 10-day contracts. He later signed for the remainder of the 2012-13 season and re-signed as a free agent prior to the 2013-14 season. In 47 games, he has averaged 6.1 points, 1.8 assists and 0.9 rebounds in 11.4 minutes, while shooting .419 from the field (109-260), .389 from beyond the three-point line (53-136) and .800 from the free-throw line (16-20).

A nine-year NBA veteran, Pargo has played in 490 career games with the Lakers, Raptors, Bulls, Hornets, Hawks, Wizards and Bobcats. He has career averages of 6.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.4 rebounds, while shooting .391 from the field (1213-3105), .355 from beyond the three-point line (391-1102) and .864 from the free-throw line (317-367).

Hornets sign guard Brian Roberts

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Brian Roberts.

“Brian is a quality point guard who we believe will play a key role for us,” Cho said. “We look forward to having him as part of our team.”

The 6-1 Roberts has spent the last two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 8.2 points, 3.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 19.9 minutes in 150 total games. For his career, he has shot .418 from the field (457-1092), .372 from beyond the three-point line (123-331) and .929 from the free-throw line (195-210).

In 72 games last season, including 42 starts, Roberts averaged 9.4 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 23.2 minutes. Roberts shot .420 from the field (244-581), .360 from beyond the three-point line (64-178) and an NBA-best .940 from the free-throw line (125-133).

The 6-1 Roberts was not selected in the 2008 NBA Draft after a four-year career at the University of Dayton in which he was named First Team All-Atlantic 10 as a senior and Second Team All-Atlantic 10 as a sophomore and junior. He spent the 2008-09 season with Galil Gilboa in Israel’s Winner League. He then played for Brose Baskets in Germany’s BBL from 2009-12, helping the team to three-straight league championships, before signing with the Pelicans in August 2012.

Hornets sign Marvin Williams

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed free agent forward Marvin Williams. According to multiple media outlets, the deal may be for two years, $14 million.

“We’re excited to add a player of Marvin’s caliber to our team,” Cho said. “He will be a key piece of our frontcourt rotation with his versatility and ability to play both forward positions.”

The 6-9 Williams was the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft after one season at the University of North Carolina and earned All-Rookie Second Team honors. In nine NBA seasons, he has played in 626 total games for the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz, with career averages of 10.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.1 minutes. He has shot .447 from the field (2431-5444), .335 from beyond the three-point line (353-1054) and .804 from the free-throw line (1533-1907).

Williams saw action in 66 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.4 minutes. He made a career-high 84 three-point field goals and his three-point percentage of .359 (84-234) was the second highest of his career.

Hornets sign Lance Stephenson

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Lance Stephenson.

According to the Charlotte Observer, “Stephenson will sign a three-season contract with the third season at the Hornets’ option. He’ll make $9 million each of the first two seasons and $9.4 million if the Hornets keep him for 2016-17.”

“We are extremely excited to add Lance to our team,” Cho said. “He is a great up-and-coming player with an incredibly high ceiling. He is an exceptional athlete who has the versatility and skill to play multiple positions on both offense and defense. We believe he will be an outstanding addition to our roster.”

The 6-5 Stephenson finished second in NBA Most Improved Player voting last season after leading the league with five triple-doubles and averaging career highs of 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 35.3 minutes in 78 games played for the Pacers. He also set career highs in field goals (427), field goal percentage (.491), three-point field goals (86) and three-point percentage (.352). Stephenson scored in double figures 64 times, including 13 games of 20 points or more. He also recorded 22 double-figure rebounding games and six double-figure assist games, tallying 20 double-doubles.

In addition to his career highs, Stephenson’s single-season totals in 2013-14 surpassed his previous three-year career totals in points, rebounds, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, assists, field goals, three-point field goals and free throws. He also saw action in 19 playoff games, averaging 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37.1 minutes.

Stephenson was originally selected by the Pacers with the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He has played in 216 career games, all for the Pacers, with averages of 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. In 42 career playoff games, he has averaged 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33.1 minutes.

Lance Stephenson will reportedly sign with Charlotte Hornets

Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting some pretty big Hornets free agency news:

Following an all-night negotiating session, the Charlotte Hornets have come to an agreement to sign Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson, the Observer has learned.

Under terms of the agreement, Stephenson will make $9 million in 2014-15 and $9 million in 2015-16. Stephenson will get a slight raise in 2016-17 if the Hornets pick up the team option.

Stephenson fills an obvious need, as the Hornets were weak offensively at the shooting guard and small forward positions. The 6-foot-5 Stephenson had a breakthrough season statistically, averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He also shot 49 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.

However, he has a quirky personality that seems to have limited his market when he became an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Pacers had offered Stephenson $44 million over five seasons, and reportedly did not come off that number. Stephenson thought he was worth considerably more.

Miami Heat sign Josh McRoberts

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Josh McRoberts. The contract is for four years, $23 million, according to the Associated Press and other outlets.

“We felt from day one that he was one of our main targets,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We are delighted that this multi-faceted player will help us immensely in being the kind of team that Coach Spoelstra wants with his versatility.”

McRoberts, a seven-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 350 games (160 starts) in his career, averaging 5.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the foul line. Last season, he started all 78 games in which he appeared, and averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three-point range and 72.9 percent from the foul line. He made a career-high 105 three-pointers last season and ranked second in the NBA in assists-per-turnover (4.0).

During the 2014 NBA Playoffs, McRoberts averaged 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line.

McRoberts was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Hornets trade Scotty Hopson to Pelicans

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has traded guard Scotty Hopson to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for cash considerations.

Hopson (6-7, 204) appeared in two games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2013-14 season prior to being traded to Charlotte. The University of Tennessee product played 12 games for the Anadolu Efes in the Turkish Basketball League in 2013-14 and averaged 7.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game. He also appeared in 11 Euroleague games for the Anadolu Efes, where he averaged 15.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game.

Originally an undrafted free agent in the 2011 NBA Draft, Hopson spent the 2011-12 season in the Greek League with the Kolossos Rodou and the 2012-13 season with Hapo el Eilat of the Isreali League.

Hornets set to sign Marvin Williams

After losing out on Gordon Hayward, the Charlotte Hornets landed one of his former teammates with the Utah Jazz.

The Hornets agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract with free-agent forward Marvin Williams, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public. The person says it will be signed next week.

The 6-foot-9, 237-pound Williams has played nine seasons in the NBA with the Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 66 games for Utah last season, including 50 starts.

— Associated Press

Hornets trade Brendan Haywood to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Brendan Haywood and the draft rights to forward Dwight Powell, the 45th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Scotty Hopson and cash considerations, General Manager David Griffin announced today.

The 6-7 Hopson played in two games for the Cavaliers last season after signing with the team on March 31, 2014. Prior to that he played internationally in Greece (2011-12), Israel (2012-13) and Turkey (2013-14).

Haywood has played in 794 career NBA games (548 starts) over his 12-year career for Washington, Dallas and Charlotte with averages of 6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.4 minutes. His career field goal percentage of .528 ranks ninth among active players. Haywood was a member of Dallas’ 2011 NBA Championship team, and has appeared in 53 career postseason games, averaging 6.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting .564 from the field. The New York native played four seasons at the University of North Carolina before being selected by Cleveland with the 20th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. His rights were traded on draft night to Orlando, who later traded him to Washington. The 7-0, 263-pound center missed the entire 2013-14 season due to a stress fracture in his left foot.

Powell played four years at Stanford, appearing in 136 games (105 starts) with averages of 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game. The 6-11, 240-pound forward from Ontario, Canada is a two-time First Team All-Pac 12 selection. He averaged 14.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals during his senior season and was the Pac 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Powell also played for Canada in the World University Games in the summer of 2013.