Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
With the Orlando Pro Summer League already well underway, we will get more basketball as the Utah Summer League will start on July 3rd. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets officially signing Malik Monk, the team’s free agency plans going forward and Day Two of the NBA Summer League.
Hornets officially sign Malik Monk (NBA.com)
"Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed 2017 first-round draft pick Malik Monk. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed."
While the terms of the deal were not given, RealGM.com‘s 2017 rookie salary scale has the 11th overall pick making $2.4 million in year one and $2.8 million in year two. Like all rookie contracts, there will be a team option for year’s three and four with Monk projected to make $3.3 million in year three and his salary to go up 32.7% in year four. Although, that is just the salary scale and isn’t the actual numbers for Malik.
Although the Hornets have not yet signed second-round pick Dwayne Bacon, Rick Bonnell said that it “seems a formality.” While Monk’s spot on the final 15-man roster is secured, it will be interesting to see if Bacon can lock up a spot as well. The final numbers on the team’s first-round pick’s contract should be revealed soon.
Charlotte’s free agency plans going forward (ESPN.com)
"The Hornets are $7M below the $119M luxury tax and still have part of the $5.7M mid-level available along with the $3.2M bi-annual. Charlotte is restricted to only using $2.4M of the full mid-level or they will become hard capped."
While the Hornets still have a little money to spend this summer, it isn’t very much. Charlotte is going to try to avoid the luxury tax so they will surely limit their spending. Still, they could choose to bring in a solid role player on a manageable contract but don’t rule out a trade as Rich Cho has shown he is willing to make moves this offseason.
Rich Bonnell tweeted that the “Hornets would ideally add a 3rd veteran point guard and a third center.” If that is the case for them, then it is unlikely that the team will have to spend much to fill those roles. It also means that we can rule out a somewhat big name free agent signing or even someone who will come in and crack the rotation right away.
Recapping Day 2 of NBA Summer League (Sports.abs-cbn.com)
"Indiana Pacers 84 def. Charlotte Hornets 77. Treveon Graham had 18 markers for the Hornets, while Johnny O’Bryant III and Briante Webber chipped in 12 each."
Next: How MCW can work for Charlotte
Despite dropping to 1-1 at the Orlando Summer League after losing to Indiana, the Hornets are still in third place based on the points-based standings. Looking at the individual players, Treveon Graham continues to lead Charlotte and he is sixth in points per game with 17.0. He has probably secured his roster spot with the team because of his outstanding play.