Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets to sign Julyan Stone to two-year deal

By Jerry Stephens

MESTRE, ITALY - JUNE 12: Julyan Stone of Umana competes with Aaron Craft of Dolomiti during the match game 1of play off final series of LBA Legabasket of Serie A1 between ReyerUmana Venezia and Aquila Dolomiti Energia Trento at Palasport Taliercio on June 12, 2017 in Mestre, Italy. (Photo by Arturo Presotto - Iguana Press/Getty Images)
MESTRE, ITALY - JUNE 12: Julyan Stone of Umana competes with Aaron Craft of Dolomiti during the match game 1of play off final series of LBA Legabasket of Serie A1 between ReyerUmana Venezia and Aquila Dolomiti Energia Trento at Palasport Taliercio on June 12, 2017 in Mestre, Italy. (Photo by Arturo Presotto - Iguana Press/Getty Images) /
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Once Julyan Stone officially becomes a free agent, the Charlotte Hornets are expected to sign him to a two-year contract.

According to Sportando, Julyan Stone has parted ways with Reyer Venezia and will sign a two-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets. He recently signed a two-year deal with the Italian club but is looking to move stateside because of his father’s health issues. It looks like the contract issues have finally been settled and the Hornets will get their man.

Julyan didn’t have an NBA-out in his contract so this has been an ongoing situation as Stone, his agent and Reyer Venezia have been working towards a solution. Now that the two sides have parted ways, it opens a path for the 6’6 guard to sign with Charlotte.

Stone helped lead the Italian team to a championship last season and although he wanted to return initially, his father’s lung, heart and kidney problems have made coming back to the U.S. and the NBA a priority. The Hornets have a need to fill at their third point guard spot so this move makes sense for both sides.

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The 28-year old previously played in the league with the Denver Nuggets and the Toronto Raptors. He’s also spent time in the G-League with the Idaho Stampede, the Iowa Energy (now Wolves) and most recently (2016-17) with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Despite spending three seasons in the NBA, Stone’s only appeared in 47 total games where he’s averaged 1.3 PPG, 1.1 APG and 1.0 RPG.

Julyan’s been in and out of the league as he’s been with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers each of the last two years but was cut during the preseason. Despite his struggles in the NBA, Stone has had plenty of success in the G-League and overseas.

The Sportando report notes that his deal with Charlotte will be a “two-year guaranteed contract.” Although, it is unclear if that is a partial or full guarantee. Regardless, it will likely only be for the veteran minimum as the Hornets’ look to stay under the luxury tax.

The UTEP product would give Steve Clifford size and experience off of the bench. Stone has great playmaking ability and can knock down open shots. He will play in an emergency role behind Kemba Walker and Michael Carter-Williams.

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Julyan will become the fifth point guard under contract with the Hornets’ organization with T.J. Williams on a training camp deal and Marcus Paige signed to a two-way deal. Charlotte’s been pursuing Stone for some time this summer in their search for a third string point guard.