Charlotte Hornets waive two-way player Mangok Mathiang

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Mangok Mathiang #9 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Mangok Mathiang #9 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mangok Mathiang will no longer be a part of the Charlotte Hornets as the team decided to release the big man and open a two-way spot.

The Charlotte Hornets announced that they are parting ways with two-way player Mangok Mathiang. (NBA.com) The Queen City team chose to waive the big man after only one season with the organization. Mathiang was one of the Hornets’ first-ever two-way players along with Marcus Paige.

During his long season with Charlotte, Mangok saw limited playing time. In four regular-season appearances, he averaged 2.0 points per game and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 57.1% from the field in 5 minutes per outing.

Mathiang spent most of the 2017-18 season in the G-League with the Greensboro Swarm where he put up 10.8 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 assists in 25.3 minutes. He managed to shoot 51.9% from the field in 43 games (36 starts). The former University of Louisville big man was one of the best players on Charlotte’s G-League affiliate last year.

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Mangok led the Swarm in rebounds and blocks. Although he almost averaged a double-double for Greensboro, it was time for a change. One reason for waiving Mathiang has to be the lack of success that the Swarm had. They finished 16-34, had the worst season in their two-year history, and were tied with the Delaware 87ers and Salt Lake City Stars for the worst record in the G-League this past season.

Plus, Mangok wasn’t all that impressive in the Las Vegas Summer League this year and that might’ve led to him being cut.

After releasing Paige earlier this summer, Charlotte signed J.P. Macura to a two-way contract to replace Marcus. The Hornets’ front office will now look at other players to bring in on a two-way deal to replace Mangok.

Not only does this open up a roster spot for training camp but Charlotte also has the opportunity to develop a new prospect in the G-League with the open two-way player spot.

It’s unclear who they are targeting at this point but they have their choice of G-League players, free agents or undrafted rookies to pick from.

We will see what the Charlotte Hornets decide to do with their open two-way spot. They will likely bring in a big man considering that they have already signed a wing player in J.P. Macura and they need to replace Mangok Mathiang. They have a chance to bring in a prospect to grow and potentially become an asset in the near future.