Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets still searching for veteran third point guard

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets coaches his team during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 18, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets coaches his team during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 18, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Even after adding two more point guards to their roster, the Charlotte Hornets are still on the hunt for a veteran to sign.

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, the “Hornets intend to sign a vet 3rd point.” The team already has four point guards under contract but only two are guaranteed to be on the roster next season in Kemba Walker and Michael Carter-Williams. After letting Ramon Sessions, Brian Roberts and Briante Weber leave this summer, the third point guard spot is still up for grabs.

Charlotte signed Marcus Paige to a two-way contract which means that he can only spend a maximum of 45 days out of the season with the Hornets. He will spend most, if not all, of the year with the Greensboro Swarm. As for T.J. Williams, he was signed to a training camp deal meaning he will be waived prior to the regular season.

It is unclear who the Hornets are targeting but they did work out eight free agent point guard in July. Charlotte brought in a group that included Norris Cole, Donald Sloan, Isaiah Canaan, Demetrius Jackson, JJ Frazier, Marcus Paige, Jarred Cunningham and Nick Johnson.

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Since the workout, Jackson has signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, JJ Frazier has a deal to play overseas and Paige obviously signed with the Hornets while Cole, Sloan, Canaan, Cunningham and Johnson are still free agents.

Out of the five players who are still on the open market, Cole, Sloan and Canaan are the three most likely to be signed to fill a “veteran” point guard role for Charlotte.

While any of those three could still be an option for the team, there are also a number of free agents to pick from. Whoever the Hornets sign, they will most likely be added by way of a veteran minimum type deal.

Looking at former players, Sessions (New York Knicks) and Roberts (Olympiacos) have already been signed. Weber is a free agent but after Charlotte declined his team option, it’s highly unlikely that they will bring him back.

Next: Hornets should strongly consider Quinn Cook

It will be interesting to see who the Charlotte Hornets sign but expect a deal to be made before September.