The Charlotte Hornets announced that they have signed two free-agent guards to contracts. R.J. Hunter and Edmond Sumner have joined the team on deals with undisclosed terms.
Charlotte had previously come to an agreement with Hunter back in August, but the deal has not been finalized until now. Hunter has played four seasons in the league, anchored by stints in Boston with years in Chicago and Houston in between. The 29-year-old last made an appearance in the NBA during the 2018-19 season, playing overseas in Turkey and Australia with a brief 10-game stint in the NBA G League during the 2020 season. Hunter has averaged only 3 points in his 45 career NBA games.
Sumner appeared in 53 games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 7.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 13.9 minutes per game. This was a comeback season of sorts for the 27-year-old Detroit native, having missed all of the 2021-22 season due to a torn Achilles. Sumner’s final year in Indiana (2020-21) saw him average a career-high 7.5 points in 53 games (24 starts).
The Hornets are clearly attempting to bolster the bottom of their roster with these types of depth signings. There is a path to playing time beyond Charlotte’s starting lineup, as their bench unit needs some help. Finding a way to close the talent gap between their primary starters and their bench is an absolute necessity as they look to have a more successful campaign in 2023-24.
When evaluating the rest of the Hornets’ roster in addition to these two newcomers, it may not be likely that either player makes the team. Hunter and Sumner remained free agents this long for a reason, and it is not because they are highly sought-after players. Charlotte taking fliers on both players is the correct approach as these are very much low-risk moves for a franchise looking for talent through every possible avenue.
Hornets: Kai Jones to be away from team indefinitely
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