The Hornets have formally waived veteran guards Ish Smith and Frank Ntilikina, the crew introduced in a press release. Charlotte has now lower three backcourt gamers for the reason that commerce deadline, having additionally parted ways with James Bouknight.
The Hornets wanted to make a sequence of cuts to be able to accommodate their deadline offers. Dropping Smith and Ntilikina allowed the crew to tackle three gamers whereas sending
Gordon Hayward to Oklahoma Metropolis.
A journeyman who has performed for 13 groups throughout 14 NBA seasons, Smith was the Hornets’ main backup level guard this season, averaging 3.2 factors, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per recreation throughout 43 appearances (5 stats). The 35-year-old shot 41.8% from the sphere.
Ntilikina was initially anticipated to be LaMelo Ball‘s backup this season, however leg and hip points have sidelined him for practically the whole 2023-24 marketing campaign. He performed solely 43 minutes throughout 5 video games for Charlotte previous to his launch.
Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic, acquired from the Thunder within the Hayward commerce, determine to get a shot to earn common taking part in time on the level.
Smith and Ntilikina will each change into free brokers and can be capable of signal with any crew this weekend as soon as they clear waivers. The Hornets will stay on the hook for his or her matching $2,019,706 (minimum-salary) cap hits.