Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the web surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
Former Hornets’ legend Al Jefferson has signed with Xinjiang Guanghui in China. (Twitter/ @KeithSmithNBA) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets trading for Bismack Biyombo, Malik Monk‘s injury, and why Tony Parker signed with the Queen City team.
Hornets get Biyombo in three-team trade (ESPN.com)
"The Orlando Magic have acquired guard Jerian Grant and center Timofey Mozgov in a three-team deal with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls. The Magic send center Bismack Biyombo to the Hornets. Chicago acquires Charlotte guard Julyan Stone, who has a non-guaranteed contract that could be waived next month."
THE BIZ IS BACK! The Hornets acquired Bismack who spent his first four years in the NBA with Charlotte. They also received two future second-round picks from the Magic. Orlando sent Charlotte their 2019 and 2020 second round pick in the three-team trade. All the Hornets had to give up was Timofey Mozgov and Julyan Stone.
The Queen City team got a slight upgrade at center with Biyombo who has a similar salary to Mozgov and two future second-round picks for a center they weren’t going to use and Stone who had an unguaranteed contract and was likely going to be waived. It’s unclear how James Borrego will utilize Bismack but at least they got two assets in the deal for basically nothing.
Malik Monk suffers unfortunate injury (RealGM.com)
"Malik Monk will miss the rest of Summer League with a fractured right thumb. The Hornets said Monk will be re-evaluated in six-to-eight weeks. He suffered the injury during Friday’s game."
Monk suffered the injury on the final play of the team’s first summer league game in Las Vegas. He will now miss the remainder of the summer league and for the second straight year, miss significant time in the offseason. It’s disappointing considering how well Malik played during his summer league debut scoring 23 points.
The good news is that the 20-year old should be back in time for the Hornets’ training camp and preseason. Hopefully, Monk can stay in rhythm as it looked like he was poised for a breakout summer that may have led him to earn the starting shooting guard spot this year. Malik has had some bad luck with injuries over his first two years in the NBA.
Tony Parker wanted a challenge (EuroHoops.net)
"“I feel like the Hornets wanted me more. The Spurs made me an offer, but it was only for year and with a role a little wobbly. I wanted to have a real challenge.”"
Parker had his choice between the San Antonio Spurs, the Denver Nuggets and the Hornets this summer. Charlotte was the more attractive offer to Tony as the Spurs wanted him to be more of a mentor/coach. James Borrego wants the six-time all-star to be the primary backup point guard for the team.
Next: Batum to move back to small forward next season
Parker did mention that his return to San Antonio next season will be an emotional one which is understandable considering that he played 17 seasons with the Spurs. Trying to help the Hornets get to the playoffs this year will be quite the challenge for Tony at this stage of his career.