Arnoldas Kulboka leaving the Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets forward Arnoldas Kulboka will be taking his talents to Greece, as reported by Eurohoops on Monday morning. Kulboka will be joining Promitheas Patras B.C., a member of the Greek Basket League that plays in Patras, Greece.
Kulboka and the Hornets both benefit from the move
The deal is mutually beneficial for Kulboka and for the Hornets. For Kulboka, it represents a chance to return to his home continent and receive more playing time as he continues his professional career. For the Hornets, it clears up a two-way contract. Kulboka and Scottie Lewis were both on two-way contracts last season, and rookie Bryce McGowens recently signed a two-way contract for the upcoming season.
While Kulboka only appeared in two games for the Hornets and did not register any statistics, he did become the first draft-and-stash player in franchise history to appear at the NBA level. He is also the only player in franchise history to wear the number 98 jersey and is only the third player in NBA history to do so.
The 55th selection in the 2018 NBA draft, Kulboka posted averages of 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds across 30 appearances with the Greensboro Swarm at the G-League level a season ago. He proved to be a capable shooter, as his 41.1% three-point shooting percentage was the second-highest amongst Swarm players who attempted more than one three-pointer per game.
The writing appeared to be on the wall when the Hornets released their summer league roster on Friday sans Kulboka.
With the Hornets expected to rescind their qualifying offer to Miles Bridges in the wake of his arrest, Kulboka was in line to become the longest-tenured member of the roster. That honor will now go to fourth year forward PJ Washington.