Charlotte Hornets sign Tony Parker to a two-year, $10 million deal
The Charlotte Hornets have found their backup point guard as they’ve agreed to terms with free agent Tony Parker.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets have signed Tony Parker to a two-year, $10 million deal. The San Antonio Spurs‘ legend was an unrestricted free agent this summer. He adds point guard depth to the roster and will sure up the backup role behind Kemba Walker.
Charlotte has been linked to Parker earlier this summer along with the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs wanted to re-sign Tony but he decided against returning to San Antonio. The promise of a significant role as the primary backup point guard is probably what led to him choosing the Hornets over other teams.
Parker will join former San Antonio Spurs’ assistant James Borrego, who was signed as the Hornets’ head coach this summer, in Charlotte. He will also be playing alongside fellow Frenchman Nicolas Batum in the Queen City.
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After letting Michael Carter-Williams walk in free agency, Charlotte was in need of another ball-handling guard in free agency. This signing gives the Hornets three point guard with Kemba Walker and rookie Devonte’ Graham also on the roster.
The 36-year old Parker will be entering his 17th NBA season in 2018-19. Although he is nearing the end of his career, Tony still has a lot to bring to the table. He will provide Charlotte with a veteran presence off of the bench and Championship experience in the locker room.
In 55 games last year, he averaged 7.7 points per game, 3.5 assists and 1.7 rebounds for San Antonio. Parker also managed to shoot 45.9% from the field, 27% from three and 70.% from the free throw line.
He’s missed over 40 games in the last two seasons combined so Charlotte should have some concerns regarding his injury history and durability over the course of an 82-game season.
Tony is a six-time all-star, a four-time NBA Champion, the 2006-07 NBA Finals MVP, named to an All-NBA Team four times and the Rookie of the Year in 2001-02.
Parker has only played for the Spurs during his entire NBA career so it’s a shock to many that he will be wearing the purple and teal of the Hornets next season.
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Parker has had a storied career and is a sure-fire Hall of Famer when he retires. It will be interesting to see what Tony can bring to the Charlotte Hornets going forward. If he can provide consistent scoring and playmaking off of the bench while being the floor general for the second unit, this is a great signing by Mitch Kupchak.