Hornets sign four players ahead of training camp

The Charlotte Hornets made some news on Monday when they announced the signings of four players, bringing their offseason roster count to 18.

Jalen Crutcher is the most familiar name, having spent time last season with the Greensboro Swarm in the G League. With Greensboro, Crutcher averaged 16.2 points per contest and shot 43.8% from three-point range, the best mark on the roster. He also was on the Hornets’ Summer League roster this summer, posting 6.6 points and 5.0 assists in Las Vegas.

Isaiah Whaley was also on the Summer League roster, although he did not see the floor. He began his basketball career in nearby Gastonia, North Carolina, playing three seasons at Ashbrook High School before transferring to Evelyn Mack Academy in Charlotte for his senior season. A five-year player at UConn, Whaley was a college teammate of Hornets guard James Bouknight during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

Jaylen Sims is yet another player with Charlotte roots, having been raised in the city and having played his high school basketball at Charlotte’s United Faith Christian Academy. A four-year player at UNC Wilmington, Sims helped lead the Seahawks to the CAA co-championship during the regular season and the College Basketball Invitational championship in the postseason. Sims led the Seahawks in points, rebounds, and assists during for his senior season.

Anthony Duruji brings plenty of experience as yet another four-year college player, having spent his first two season at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Florida. As a senior, Duruji posted averages of 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds and had 12 double-digit scoring performances, including six such performances against SEC competition.

What do these moves mean for the Hornets?

NBA teams can carry up to 20 players on their offseason roster but are only allowed 15 roster spots during the regular season. As mentioned, the Hornets now have 18 of their 20 roster spots occupied; the two remaining spots were occupied a season ago by Miles Bridges and Isaiah Thomas.

It is worth noting that the four players signed today were all signed to Exhibit 10 contracts, giving the Hornets the ability to convert a deal into a two-way contract should a player make a good impression. NBA teams may carry up to two players on two-way contracts, and with Bryce McGowens already signed to such a deal, roster spots will be limited for Charlotte’s new quartet.