Hornets pick up team option on Jalen McDaniels

Another offseason domino fell into place for the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday as the Hornets exercised their $1.9 million team option on forward Jalen McDaniels. Charlotte had until Wednesday, June 29th to make a decision on McDaniels’ option.

McDaniels’ salary will not become guaranteed until August 1st, but all indications are that the 24-year-old forward will be on the roster at that point. As long as no other contractual changes are made, McDaniels will be slated to enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Selected with the 52nd pick in the 2019 NBA draft, McDaniels has steadily improved over the course of his three-year career. He posted averages of 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds and shot a career-best 38% from three-point range a season ago. In late December of last season, McDaniels was called into a starting role in two contests in the absence of Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington. McDaniels responded by posting averages of 14 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 55% from the field and 40% from three-point range, helping lead Charlotte to victory in both games.

McDaniels is particularly valuable on the defensive end of the floor, where his 6″9′ frame allows him to bother smaller perimeter players. McDaniels posted the third-best individual defensive rating for Charlotte, as only Kai Jones and JT Thor had better marks.

Charlotte is wise to keep McDaniels considering the uncertain status of their other wings. Gordon Hayward has been in the trade rumor mill for several weeks, while Kelly Oubre has a contract guarantee date of June 30th and will be on the final year of his contract. In retaining McDaniels, Charlotte maintains quality depth while also preparing for a situation where Hayward, Oubre, or both are not on the roster.