Hornets shift their focus to Summer League after deals

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The Charlotte Hornets' trade for Collin Sexton adds backcourt shooting to a team that lacked it last season. Sexton averaged 18.4 points per game last year with the Utah Jazz.

The Hornets’ busy summer continues.

They acquired forward Kon Knueppel, forward Liam McNeely, guard/forward Sion James and center Ryan Kalkbrenner in last week’s draft. Charlotte’s draft grade was generally in the B to A-minus range based on various media outlets. This class adds a mix of high-level shooting and defense.

McNeely, the 29th overall pick, was acquired via trade with the Phoenix Suns. Charlotte sent Mark Williams to Phoenix for McNeeley and a 2029 first-round pick. Also included in the trade was guard Vasa Micic, who was on the Hornets roster last season.

Early offseason trades and acquisitions 

One of the first moves the Hornets made was trading center Jusuf Nurkic to the Utah Jazz for guard Collin Sexton and a future second round pick. The deal adds backcourt depth as well as scoring and a willing passer. 

Sexton averaged 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. He was a 40% three-point shooter last season and could see big minutes immediately. 
Charlotte also acquired free agent Mason Plumlee who played in Phoenix last season. After trading Nurkic and Williams, the Hornets needed to address depth at center, where 6-9 Moussa Diabate was the lone option.

Along with drafting 7-1 Kalkbrenner, Charlotte added Plumlee, who stands 6-10. Plumlee was a role player with Phoenix, averaging 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season. They address an immediate void at center, but Charlotte might be in the market for another big in free agency.

No time for summer vacation

The rookies and some second-year players will likely be participating in this year’s NBA Summer League. No official announcement of the players participating has been made from the organization, but one could expect to see Knueppel, McNeely, Kalkbrenner and James on the Summer League roster. It is also not uncommon for second year players to play in Summer League, so seeing 2024 draft picks Tidjane Salaün and K.J. Simpson would not be a surprise. 

“My expectation for these guys is to come in and have an open mind,” coach Charles Lee said. “I want them to learn as much as possible the first couple of days and get themselves used to offensive and defensive terminology. Getting them in the habit of routines and working with our performance staff and nutrition staff. Then just going out there and being [themselves], playing at a high level, which is what the expectation of a Hornet is.”

Summer League schedule:

July 11 at 7 p.m. — Utah Jazz

July 12 at 6:30 p.m. — Philadelphia 76ers

July 14 at 6:30 p.m. — Dallas Mavericks

July 17 at 7 p.m. — San Antonio Spurs

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