As part of the trade, Thunder is sending guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic alongside forward Davis Bertans to Charlotte. The Hornets are also receiving second-rounders in 2024 and 2025.

The Thunder, currently sitting second in the Western Conference with 0.5 games behind leading the Minnesota Timberwolves, get a player in Hayward who can do a bit of everything on the court. The 33-year-old is a reliable scorer while also being able to take on ball-playing duties when OKC’s stars rest.

The Hornets, on the other hand, are in full rebuild mode and used the opportunity to get some compensation for a veteran player that doesn’t fit their timeline. They have the rest of the season to assess Mann and Micic, while Bertans can be a significant trade chip for them down the line.

Hayward has been hampered by injuries in the 2023-24 season, appearing in only 25 games. He is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the campaign.

“I’ve never been part of a trade deadline deal – the last few days have been quite an adventure,” Hayward wrote on social media after the trade was announced. “Charlotte has been an amazing home for our family & we are so grateful to the fans & Hornets for the past 4 years. While change is never easy, I’m excited to get to OKC and work!”

The post Oklahoma City Thunder Acquires Former All-Star Gordon Hayward From the Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball was hurt while making a driving layup over Magic’s Paolo Banchero. The 22-year-old player landed awkwardly, rolling his ankle and crashing to the floor. He was in obvious pain, needing help to get to the locker room.

The Hornets are optimistic that Ball only has an ankle sprain, although the full scope of injury will be known once he undergoes an MRI test.

LaMelo Ball has looked like a franchise star for the Hornets from the moment he was selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, injuries have been a major issue for the one-time All-Star so far in his NBA career. He missed a good chunk of his rookie season due to a wrist issue and problems with his ankle, which limited him to only 36 games in 2022-23.

Before the latest injury, Ball looked better than ever. He was averaging a career-high 25.9 points and 8.6 assists to go with 5.8 rebounds. He also increased his efficiency, shooting 44.2% from the floor and making 38.9% of his three-point attempts.

Despite Ball playing great, the Charlotte Hornets have continued with their disappointing performances. They are 5-10 and sit on No. 12 in the Eastern Conference and might just get worse if Ball misses significant time.

The post Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Suffers Injury on Surgically Repaired Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball fractured his ankle while planting his foot awkwardly during a dribble in the third quarter of the Pistons’ game. He exited the contest immediately, having 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists up to that point.

Speaking with reporters after the game, the Hornets’ head coach Steve Clifford said he doesn’t have any details about when Ball could return to action.

“It’s just a basketball ankle, and there is nothing that you can do about that,” Clifford shared.

LaMelo Ball has been struggling with ankle injuries throughout the season, playing only 36 games in 2022-23. He is currently averaging 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in his third season as a pro.

With the Charlotte Hornets embracing tanking this season, it would be surprising to see Ball again on the court this season. The Hornets are currently second-to-last in the East with a 20-43 record, which is fourth-worst in the league. 

The post Hornets’ All-Star LaMelo Ball Fractures His Right Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

At the time of injury, Ball was attempting to save a ball from going out of bounds. He stepped on a seated fan’s foot as he attempted to prevent himself from falling into the crowd.

“It’s very tough but we have to be professionals about it,” Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. commented. “It’s the game of basketball and those things happen. But people who are suited up and who are healthy enough to go out there, we have to go pick up that slack.”

The Hornets’ game against the Pacers was Ball’s third game since returning from his initial ankle injury. As his first home game since his return, Ball received an introduction from the public address announcer and a round of applause from fans during the routine pre-game player introductions.

The post Hornet’s Ball Reinjures Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to The Observer’s Rod Boone, the Hornets are waiting to free a roster spot before making Maledon’s signing official.

Maledon spent the past two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Houston Rockets in September. After taking a closer look at the 21-year-old, the Rockets decided to release him.

Despite the fact two teams decided they are better without him, Theo Maledon might prove to be a quality addition for the Hornets. Their All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, and it isn’t like the second-round pick from the 2020 NBA Draft can’t play. While in NBA, Maledon played in 116 games with the rebuilding OKC team and averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

Before coming to NBA, Maledon was considered one of the most promising French players. Playing for ASVEL, he was selected as LNB Pro A Best Young Player in 2019 while also receiving French Cup Final MVP honors in the same year.

The post Hornets Signing Ex-OKC Guard Theo Maledon to a 2-Way Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball got hurt on Monday night in Hornets’ 107-116 loss to the Washington Wizards. The 21-year-old player was driving to the basket when he stepped on veteran Anthony Gill’s foot and rolled his ankle.

The MRI test on Tuesday revealed the sprain with the Hornets saying that Ball’s return on the court depends on how he responds to rehab.

When asked about Ball’s injury on Tuesday, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said he doesn’t know if the third overall pick in 2020 will be available for the season opener. However, he shared that the team will be ready for any scenario.

“We talked about whatever the plan is, you have to be on rehab,” Clifford added. “The better you are with it, the quicker you will get back. He was disappointed but very upbeat. It’s just part of the NBA.”

Internally, the Hornets are believed to be preparing for the start of the season without LaMelo Ball. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Ball has a Grade 2 sprain and is expected to miss the early part of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ball was coming off a great 2021-22 season in which he had career highs across the board. He averaged 20.1 points while adding 6.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists en route to his first career All-Star nod.

The post All-Star Guard LaMelo Ball Dealing With Sprained Ankle According to Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The deal will lock Rozier with the Hornets through the 2025-25 NBA season. The 27-year-old guard had one year left on the three-year, $56.7 million contract he signed in 2019.

Charlotte still hasn’t made the news official, but the deal was confirmed to The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Thursday by Rozier’s agent Aaron Turner.

Rozier is considered a big part of the Hornets’ future, and his extension was one of the main focuses for the team’s front office this offseason. Charlotte previously showed their commitment to Rozier by trading guard Devonte Graham to the New Orleans Pelicans at the start of NBA free agency.

By signing Terry Rozier on a new deal, the Hornets now have all their key players locked for foreseeable future. The group also includes veteran All-Star forward Gordon Hayward, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, and talented duo Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington.

Rozier played 69 games for the Hornets in 2020-21 and averaged career highs in points (20.4), rebounds (4.4), assists (4.2), and steals (1.3). He also shot 45 percent from the floor and was 38.9 percent beyond the three-point arc.

The post Terry Rozier and Hornets Agree to 4-Year, $97 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In a 113-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Ball put up 22 points, 12 boards, and 11 assists. He did it at the age of 19 years and 140 days old.

Interestingly enough, the very same record was also once held by Ball’s older brother Lonzo Ball. In Lonzo’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he recorded a triple-double at 20 years and 15 days old.

It didn’t take long for Dallas Mavericks phenom Luka Doncic to get in on that action, beating Lonzo’s record and doing it at 19 years and 327 days.

Then it was the Orlando Magic’s Markelle Fultz’s turn, who stole the record by getting a triple-double at 19 years and 317 days.

Finally, LaMelo decided he wanted to be the record-holder, which is what brings us to his milestone today.

As the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, many people had high hopes for the youngster, predicting that he’ll eventually reach the All-Star level. However, draft hype doesn’t always translate to real-world success.

In LaMelo’s case, however, it seems to be rolling over pretty well. So far, he’s been averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists—which is not bad at all for a rookie still getting his sea legs.

The post Hornets Rookie LaMelo Ball Becomes Youngest to Record Triple-Double appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The former UConn Husky, who averaged 19.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Charlotte since being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has a special place in the heart of Hornets fans.

Walker summed up the evening by saying, “It was special. Just to be back here and the amount of love I’ve been getting throughout this day, leading up to this day, it’s been a lot of love and the video just topped it off. It’s special and it definitely obviously made me really emotional.”

The 29-year-old point guard shed a few tears as he watched the video dedication that the Hornets played before the beginning of the game.

Walker, clearly affected by his emotions, scored 14 points on 4-12 shooting along with 6 assists in his team’s 108-87 blowout win.

The Celtics have moved to 6-1 with their Thursday night win, while the Hornets now find themselves at .500 with a 4-4 record.

The post Kemba Walker Wins in Emotional Return to Charlotte appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to reports, Jordan will give up a “large piece” of the team but will remain the majority owner. This transaction is still not official, as the NBA needs to approve it. However, the process is expected to run smoothly.

“I’m excited to welcome Gabe and Dan as my partners in Hornets Sports & Entertainment,” – said Jordan in the statement announcing the news. “While I will continue to run the Charlotte Hornets, make all decisions related to the team and organization, and remain the team’s NBA Governor, Gabe and Dan’s investment in the franchise is invaluable, as we continue to modernize, add new technology and strive to compete with the best in the NBA.”

Michael Jordan started his involvement with the franchise in 2006, buying a minor stake when the team was still called Charlotte Bobcats. He decided to buy the team in 2010 from BET co-founder Bob Johnson, parting way with $275 million. Reportedly, Jordan currently owns 97 percent of the Hornets.

During Jordan’s tenure as the majority owner of the team, Hornets only made it to playoffs two times in nine seasons, suffering first-round exits on both occasions.

The Hornets are among the least valuable NBA franchises, but they are still estimated to be worth $1.3 billion. For comparison, the New York Knicks are estimated to be worth $4.0 billion.

The post Michael Jordan Selling a “Large Piece” of the Charlotte Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

As part of the trade, Thunder is sending guards Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic alongside forward Davis Bertans to Charlotte. The Hornets are also receiving second-rounders in 2024 and 2025.

The Thunder, currently sitting second in the Western Conference with 0.5 games behind leading the Minnesota Timberwolves, get a player in Hayward who can do a bit of everything on the court. The 33-year-old is a reliable scorer while also being able to take on ball-playing duties when OKC’s stars rest.

The Hornets, on the other hand, are in full rebuild mode and used the opportunity to get some compensation for a veteran player that doesn’t fit their timeline. They have the rest of the season to assess Mann and Micic, while Bertans can be a significant trade chip for them down the line.

Hayward has been hampered by injuries in the 2023-24 season, appearing in only 25 games. He is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the campaign.

“I’ve never been part of a trade deadline deal – the last few days have been quite an adventure,” Hayward wrote on social media after the trade was announced. “Charlotte has been an amazing home for our family & we are so grateful to the fans & Hornets for the past 4 years. While change is never easy, I’m excited to get to OKC and work!”

The post Oklahoma City Thunder Acquires Former All-Star Gordon Hayward From the Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball was hurt while making a driving layup over Magic’s Paolo Banchero. The 22-year-old player landed awkwardly, rolling his ankle and crashing to the floor. He was in obvious pain, needing help to get to the locker room.

The Hornets are optimistic that Ball only has an ankle sprain, although the full scope of injury will be known once he undergoes an MRI test.

LaMelo Ball has looked like a franchise star for the Hornets from the moment he was selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, injuries have been a major issue for the one-time All-Star so far in his NBA career. He missed a good chunk of his rookie season due to a wrist issue and problems with his ankle, which limited him to only 36 games in 2022-23.

Before the latest injury, Ball looked better than ever. He was averaging a career-high 25.9 points and 8.6 assists to go with 5.8 rebounds. He also increased his efficiency, shooting 44.2% from the floor and making 38.9% of his three-point attempts.

Despite Ball playing great, the Charlotte Hornets have continued with their disappointing performances. They are 5-10 and sit on No. 12 in the Eastern Conference and might just get worse if Ball misses significant time.

The post Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Suffers Injury on Surgically Repaired Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball fractured his ankle while planting his foot awkwardly during a dribble in the third quarter of the Pistons’ game. He exited the contest immediately, having 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists up to that point.

Speaking with reporters after the game, the Hornets’ head coach Steve Clifford said he doesn’t have any details about when Ball could return to action.

“It’s just a basketball ankle, and there is nothing that you can do about that,” Clifford shared.

LaMelo Ball has been struggling with ankle injuries throughout the season, playing only 36 games in 2022-23. He is currently averaging 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in his third season as a pro.

With the Charlotte Hornets embracing tanking this season, it would be surprising to see Ball again on the court this season. The Hornets are currently second-to-last in the East with a 20-43 record, which is fourth-worst in the league. 

The post Hornets’ All-Star LaMelo Ball Fractures His Right Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

At the time of injury, Ball was attempting to save a ball from going out of bounds. He stepped on a seated fan’s foot as he attempted to prevent himself from falling into the crowd.

“It’s very tough but we have to be professionals about it,” Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. commented. “It’s the game of basketball and those things happen. But people who are suited up and who are healthy enough to go out there, we have to go pick up that slack.”

The Hornets’ game against the Pacers was Ball’s third game since returning from his initial ankle injury. As his first home game since his return, Ball received an introduction from the public address announcer and a round of applause from fans during the routine pre-game player introductions.

The post Hornet’s Ball Reinjures Ankle appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to The Observer’s Rod Boone, the Hornets are waiting to free a roster spot before making Maledon’s signing official.

Maledon spent the past two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Houston Rockets in September. After taking a closer look at the 21-year-old, the Rockets decided to release him.

Despite the fact two teams decided they are better without him, Theo Maledon might prove to be a quality addition for the Hornets. Their All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, and it isn’t like the second-round pick from the 2020 NBA Draft can’t play. While in NBA, Maledon played in 116 games with the rebuilding OKC team and averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

Before coming to NBA, Maledon was considered one of the most promising French players. Playing for ASVEL, he was selected as LNB Pro A Best Young Player in 2019 while also receiving French Cup Final MVP honors in the same year.

The post Hornets Signing Ex-OKC Guard Theo Maledon to a 2-Way Contract appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ball got hurt on Monday night in Hornets’ 107-116 loss to the Washington Wizards. The 21-year-old player was driving to the basket when he stepped on veteran Anthony Gill’s foot and rolled his ankle.

The MRI test on Tuesday revealed the sprain with the Hornets saying that Ball’s return on the court depends on how he responds to rehab.

When asked about Ball’s injury on Tuesday, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said he doesn’t know if the third overall pick in 2020 will be available for the season opener. However, he shared that the team will be ready for any scenario.

“We talked about whatever the plan is, you have to be on rehab,” Clifford added. “The better you are with it, the quicker you will get back. He was disappointed but very upbeat. It’s just part of the NBA.”

Internally, the Hornets are believed to be preparing for the start of the season without LaMelo Ball. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Ball has a Grade 2 sprain and is expected to miss the early part of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ball was coming off a great 2021-22 season in which he had career highs across the board. He averaged 20.1 points while adding 6.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists en route to his first career All-Star nod.

The post All-Star Guard LaMelo Ball Dealing With Sprained Ankle According to Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The deal will lock Rozier with the Hornets through the 2025-25 NBA season. The 27-year-old guard had one year left on the three-year, $56.7 million contract he signed in 2019.

Charlotte still hasn’t made the news official, but the deal was confirmed to The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Thursday by Rozier’s agent Aaron Turner.

Rozier is considered a big part of the Hornets’ future, and his extension was one of the main focuses for the team’s front office this offseason. Charlotte previously showed their commitment to Rozier by trading guard Devonte Graham to the New Orleans Pelicans at the start of NBA free agency.

By signing Terry Rozier on a new deal, the Hornets now have all their key players locked for foreseeable future. The group also includes veteran All-Star forward Gordon Hayward, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, and talented duo Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington.

Rozier played 69 games for the Hornets in 2020-21 and averaged career highs in points (20.4), rebounds (4.4), assists (4.2), and steals (1.3). He also shot 45 percent from the floor and was 38.9 percent beyond the three-point arc.

The post Terry Rozier and Hornets Agree to 4-Year, $97 Million Extension appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In a 113-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Ball put up 22 points, 12 boards, and 11 assists. He did it at the age of 19 years and 140 days old.

Interestingly enough, the very same record was also once held by Ball’s older brother Lonzo Ball. In Lonzo’s rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he recorded a triple-double at 20 years and 15 days old.

It didn’t take long for Dallas Mavericks phenom Luka Doncic to get in on that action, beating Lonzo’s record and doing it at 19 years and 327 days.

Then it was the Orlando Magic’s Markelle Fultz’s turn, who stole the record by getting a triple-double at 19 years and 317 days.

Finally, LaMelo decided he wanted to be the record-holder, which is what brings us to his milestone today.

As the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, many people had high hopes for the youngster, predicting that he’ll eventually reach the All-Star level. However, draft hype doesn’t always translate to real-world success.

In LaMelo’s case, however, it seems to be rolling over pretty well. So far, he’s been averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists—which is not bad at all for a rookie still getting his sea legs.

The post Hornets Rookie LaMelo Ball Becomes Youngest to Record Triple-Double appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The former UConn Husky, who averaged 19.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Charlotte since being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has a special place in the heart of Hornets fans.

Walker summed up the evening by saying, “It was special. Just to be back here and the amount of love I’ve been getting throughout this day, leading up to this day, it’s been a lot of love and the video just topped it off. It’s special and it definitely obviously made me really emotional.”

The 29-year-old point guard shed a few tears as he watched the video dedication that the Hornets played before the beginning of the game.

Walker, clearly affected by his emotions, scored 14 points on 4-12 shooting along with 6 assists in his team’s 108-87 blowout win.

The Celtics have moved to 6-1 with their Thursday night win, while the Hornets now find themselves at .500 with a 4-4 record.

The post Kemba Walker Wins in Emotional Return to Charlotte appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to reports, Jordan will give up a “large piece” of the team but will remain the majority owner. This transaction is still not official, as the NBA needs to approve it. However, the process is expected to run smoothly.

“I’m excited to welcome Gabe and Dan as my partners in Hornets Sports & Entertainment,” – said Jordan in the statement announcing the news. “While I will continue to run the Charlotte Hornets, make all decisions related to the team and organization, and remain the team’s NBA Governor, Gabe and Dan’s investment in the franchise is invaluable, as we continue to modernize, add new technology and strive to compete with the best in the NBA.”

Michael Jordan started his involvement with the franchise in 2006, buying a minor stake when the team was still called Charlotte Bobcats. He decided to buy the team in 2010 from BET co-founder Bob Johnson, parting way with $275 million. Reportedly, Jordan currently owns 97 percent of the Hornets.

During Jordan’s tenure as the majority owner of the team, Hornets only made it to playoffs two times in nine seasons, suffering first-round exits on both occasions.

The Hornets are among the least valuable NBA franchises, but they are still estimated to be worth $1.3 billion. For comparison, the New York Knicks are estimated to be worth $4.0 billion.

The post Michael Jordan Selling a “Large Piece” of the Charlotte Hornets appeared first on yoursportspot.com.