Charlotte Hornets: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

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CHARLOTTE, NC – 1989: J.R. Reid #34 of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the court during an NBA game at Charlotte Colesium in 1989. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images) /

Charlotte selected J.R. Reid with the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. He spent six seasons of his 11-year NBA career with the Hornets. J.R. had to separate stints with the Queen City team throughout his time in the league.

The 6-foot-9 big man averaged 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 325 games (187 starts) in six years with Charlotte. During his rookie season, Reid put up 11.1 PPG and 8.4 RPG which was good enough to get him named to the 1889-90 All-Rookie Second Team.

He ranks eighth all-time in offensive rebounds for the Hornets as well as 10th in steals. J.R. was also a part of the 1997-98 team that won 51 games and made it to the conference semifinals. Although he played for six different teams throughout his NBA career, Reid put up his best numbers in Charlotte.

J.R. spent his first three and half years with Charlotte before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs where he spent four seasons. He was then traded to the New York Knicks in 1995-96. After one season in NY, Reid played overseas in France for the entirety of the 1996-97 NBA season. He then rejoined the Hornets for the 1997-98 campaign where he spent two seasons before being dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. He played one year with the Milwaukee Bucks and six games with the Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring at the age of 32 in 2001.