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Charlotte Hornets: Grading Mitch Kupchak’s moves as GM

By Noah Elmore

Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets Mitch Kupchak (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 24: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 24: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tony Parker Signing

Charlotte added veteran point guard Tony Parker on a two-year, $10 million contract to round out their depth. Parker, who will reunite with James Borrego in the Queen City, averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 assists per game as a part-time starter in San Antonio.

The Frenchman has four rings from his time with the Spurs. He’ll provide a valuable championship presence in a locker room full of young guys. Furthermore, his expertise in navigating the pick and roll will definitely be utilized in Borrego’s offense. This means Charlotte should have similar offensive sets for both their starting and second unit.

Signing Parker isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though. He’s 36 years old and spent last season dinged up with a ruptured left quad, a sprained right angle, and a sore back. There’s no guarantee Parker remains healthy. Plus, Parker is by no means the greatest teammate in the world. His comments on Kawhi Leonard‘s injury apparently rubbed him the wrong way. There’s also the infamous scandal between Parker and Erin Barry, who was at the time married to fellow Spur Brent Barry.

Grade: C

Parker is an upgrade at the backup point guard spot, something Charlotte’s needed for years. That said, there’s no guarantee Parker stays healthy and bringing him in seems strange for a team that shipped off Dwight Howard and his antics. Shabazz Napier is still a free agent. His youth would’ve made more sense in Charlotte.

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