Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets to sign veteran minimum players, Kemba talks injury and roster moves
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
Now that the Orlando Pro Summer League is over, all eyes are on the Las Vegas Summer League. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at who the Charlotte Hornets intend to sign in free agency, Kemba Walker gives updates on his knee injury/team’s roster moves and the signing of Michael Carter-Williams is made official.
Hornets to sign only veteran minimum players (Twitter/@RickBonnell)
"Rich Cho reiterated any further signings would likely be veteran-minimum as @hornets inch toward luxury tax number."
Rich Cho already said that the only moves the team will make going forward this offseason will be to bring in a sixth big man and possibly a third point guard. Charlotte’s GM continued to say that they are still debating on whether or not to sign another point guard or keep Briante Weber. If they do bring in another PG, it will be a player on a veteran minimum contract like Brian Roberts was last season.
The Hornets have already played all of their cards in free agency. Their big moves were made in the trade market for Dwight Howard and through the draft. Michael Carter-Williams was their one big signing. This means that their roster/rotation is essentially set unless a trade offer they can’t resist comes along.
Kemba talks knee injury and roster moves (NBA.com)
"I mean, it takes time, but (my left knee) is healing good. I’m getting better every day. Dwight Howard is a great player. So that’s huge for us, that’s huge for our team and for our city. I am just happy to have him. Being able to grab Malik and Dwayne on draft night, it was awesome, man. That was a great draft."
Even though the Hornets’ All-Star point guard hasn’t yet returned to participating in on-court activities, his left knee is slowly recovering from surgery on a torn meniscus in May and he should be at full strength by the start of the regular season. Walker mentioned how excited he is about the additions (Howard, Monk, Bacon and MCW) Charlotte made this summer.
I have to agree with Kemba when he said that “This is definitely one of the better teams I’ve been on.” The Hornets’ captain gave a lot of good insight in his blog as he touched on each move Charlotte’s made.
Charlotte announces signing of MCW (NBA.com)
"Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guard Michael Carter-Williams. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed."
Next: Hornets sign Bacon to three-year deal
The Hornets introduced the newest member of the team as they held a press conference for Michael Carter-Williams. The former Rookie of the Year expressed his interest in being in Charlotte and with an organization that has a winning mentality. MCW added that his biggest attribute is his ability to guard both guard positions.