LaMelo Ball is reportedly set to sign a five-year max contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets. The contract is reportedly worth $260 million, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
Just In: Charlotte Hornets All-Star LaMelo Ball is finalizing a five-year designated maximum contract extension that is worth up to $260 million, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
LaMelo, 21, was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract next season and would have entered restricted free agency had he been unable to agree a contract extension with the Hornets. Nevertheless, Charlotte now has their franchise corner-stone locked down long-term, allowing them to begin rebuilding their roster to accentuate LaMelo’s clear-cut star talent.
The addition of Brandon Miller will also help Charlotte’s transition toward a new-look roster, as his off-ball scoring and positional versatility will help diversify the rotations that Steve Clifford can utilize moving forward.
Before fracturing his ankle earlier this season, LaMelo was averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists, shooting 41.1% from the field and 37.6% from deep.
Dennis Smith Jr. joins the Brooklyn Nets.
On July 1, Shams Charania reported that Hornets free agent Dennis Smith Jr. had signed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Nets made Smith a priority in free agency as their first call, and he becomes their first addition of the summer.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
Smith Jr. rebuilt some of his value during his one-year spell with the Hornets, playing in 54 games and starting 15 contests. During his time with Charlotte, Smith Jr. produced a statline of 8.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, shooting 41.2% from the field but just 21.6% from deep.
With the recent addition of Nick Smith Jr. via the 2023 NBA Draft, Dennis Smith Jr’s role on the team was likely going to be diminished moving forward. Accepting a contract from the Nets makes sense for the journeyman guard. Hopefully, Smith Jr. can continue rebuilding his career after multiple failed spells around the league,
Other Hornets news & rumors
- According to Yahoo Sports, Jake Fischer, Miles Bridges, and his Klutch Sports representation have approached the Hornets about potentially withdrawing their qualifying offer.
- HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto has reported that Charlotte is ‘seriously considering’ making an offer to restricted free agent Grant Williams.