Charlotte Hornets Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Injury Updates: Fox, Bagley, James, Looney, Washington, Winslow

December 27th, 2019 at 6:14pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Kings offered some good news on guard De’Aaron Fox‘s latest ailment, according to a team press release. Fox left Thursday’s game in the first quarter against Minnesota with back spasms. A precautionary MRI revealed no structural damage and he will be listed as day-to-day. Big man Marvin Bagley III, who also made an early departure on Thursday, will have his left foot evaluated by a specialist Saturday.

We have more injury-related news:

Lakers star LeBron James thought he’d miss some time after getting injured on Christmas Day but that may not be the case, according to an ESPN report. James has a groin contusion and is listed as questionable to play against Portland on Saturday.
Big man Kevon Looney will miss the Warriors’ games this weekend with abdominal soreness, Logan Murdock of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Looney has played just 10 games this season, mainly due to a hamstring issue.
Hornets rookie forward PJ Washington is listed as probable to play on Friday, the team’s PR department tweets. Washington suffered a fracture of his fifth finger on his right hand during a game against Chicago on December 13.
The injury to Justise Winslow‘s back is now listed as a bone bruise rather than a strain, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweets. The Heat’s point forward has not played since December 6.

Southeast Notes: Beal, Bryant, Washington, Martin

December 27th, 2019 at 3:57pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Wizards may play it safe with regards to Bradley Beal‘s injury, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports writes. Beal left Thursday’s contest against the Pistons with lower right leg soreness and while it doesn’t sound like it will be a debilitating injury, it makes sense for the 9-21 Wizards to be as cautious as possible with their franchise star.

Beal is questionable for Saturday’s contest vs. the Knicks. Here’s more from the Southeast Division:

Thomas Bryant said he doesn’t have an exact return date, but he is “very, very close” to returning, The Athletic’s Fred Katz tweets. Bryant practiced with the Wizards today and will practice with the Capital City Go-Go on Saturday.
Isaiah Thomas said he apologized to a lot of people in the Wizards organization for the incident with fans in Philadelphia, including owner Ted Leonsis, Hughes tweets. Thomas served a two-game suspension for the incident.
It sounds like PJ Washington will make his way back into the lineup for the Hornets, as Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes. The rookie has missed the past few weeks with a broken finger.
In a separate piece, Bonnell details how Cody Martin has been exceeding expectations for the Hornets. Charlotte selected the small forward with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Coach Steve Clifford said Al-Farouq Aminu had a “setback” this week in his recovery from a knee injury, John Denton of NBA.com tweets. The Magic signed Aminu to a three-year deal this offseason.

Hornets Have Bought In Defensively

December 22nd, 2019 at 2:39pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

After the losing streak dropped the Magic to a 12-15, they rallied back to finish the season with a 42-40 overall record and the No. 7 seed in the East. This year, their 12-17 record currently has them clinging to the No. 8 seed by percentage points over the 13-19 Hornets.

The 13-19 Hornets are 4-3 over their last seven contests, and their improving defensive development is a big component of that, according to Sam Perley of Hornets.com (they were 4-2 in their last six games at the time of Perley’s article, but lost last night). Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer also notes that Hornets players are buying in to a directive from coach James Borrego requesting they prioritize defensive effort.

Hornets Assign Caleb Martin

December 18th, 2019 at 10:35pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Hornets have sent rookie forward Caleb Martin to the Greensboro Swarm, according to Charlotte’s official site. The 6’5″ 24 year-old has played in five games for Charlotte.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/17/19

December 17th, 2019 at 8:26pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

The Pacers have assigned Victor Oladipo to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as the former All-Star continues his rehabs, the team announced on Twitter. Indiana also recalled Edmond Sumner, Alize Johnson, and JaKarr Sampson.
The Knicks have assigned Ignas Brazdeikis to the Westchester Knicks, according to the team’s Twitter feed. Brazdeikis was available for the G League contest tonight.
The Wizards assigned Justin Robinson to the Capital City Go-Go, per the team’s Twitter feed. The guard has appeared in six games for Washington this season.
The Rockets have assigned Isaiah Hartenstein to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston tweets. The center has appeared in nine games for Houston this year.
The Clippers have assigned Mfiondu Kabengele and guard Terance Mann to the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, per the team.
Jalen McDaniels is making another trip to the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets announced on their website. The second-round pick has appeared in 13 games in the G League this season.

Eastern Notes: DeRozan, Heat, Hornets

December 16th, 2019 at 10:58pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Would it make sense for the Raptors to trade for DeMar DeRozan? Toronto can combine the contracts of Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka in order to make a trade work, John Hollinger of The Athletic writes. However, the scribe believes there are other options on the trade market that would better fit the team such as Orlando’s Evan Fournier.

Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:

Trading for either Chris Paul or Kevin Love would take Miami out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes in 2021 due to a lack of cap space, Hollinger adds in the same piece. The Heat are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference and may need more time to figure out whether it’s worth giving up the chance to strengthen the squad now to chase a superstar later.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer wonders whether Malik Monk is better served as a long-term piece in Charlotte or as a trade asset that could bring in additional talent. Bonnell doesn’t see Monk as a key piece for the Hornets‘ future in the way Devonte’ Graham and PJ Washington are.
Despite a weak Eastern Conference, the Hornets are unlikely to make any moves with the playoffs in mind, Bonnell adds in the same piece. Charlotte could look to trade one of their players on expiring deals, though the team would be looking for draft picks or younger players with upside in any such trade.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/15/19

December 15th, 2019 at 8:19pm CST by JD Shaw

Here are Sunday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:

The Sixers have assigned Shake Milton to the Delaware Blue Coats, the team’s G League affiliate, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Milton has appeared in nine games with Philadelphia on the season.
The Pacers have recalled Goga Bitadze and Alize Johnson from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, announcing the news on social media today. After hosting Charlotte on Sunday, Indiana will wrap up its three-game homestand against the Lakers on Tuesday and Kings on Friday.
The Hornets recalled Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels from the Greensboro Swarm, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). Both players saw just under four minutes of action against the Pacers.

Hornets Rookie Washington Has Fractured Finger

December 14th, 2019 at 3:55pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Hornets rookie forward PJ Washington suffered a fractured fifth finger on his right hand, the team announced in a press release. Washington was injured during the fourth quarter of Friday’s 83-73 win over the Bulls.

He is expected to be sidelined at least through Christmas, which would be a minimum of five games, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.

The 12th overall pick of the draft out of Kentucky has been one of the most productive rookies this season. He’s averaging 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.8 APG and 0.9 BPG in 29.4 MPG while starting 28 games. He has posted the most rebounds and blocks by any rookie this season.

In the short run, the Hornets’ forward options will be limited. Marvin Williams (knee) and Nicolas Batum (hand) are also dealing with injuries. Miles Bridges, Cody Martin, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Guillermo Hernangomez could receive additional playing time.

Fizdale Passed On Hornets' Opportunity For Knicks In 2018

December 11th, 2019 at 8:12am CST by Luke Adams

Before being hired by the Knicks in the spring of 2018, David Fizdale was a highly sought-after head coaching candidate, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, who suggest that Fizdale had offers from the Hawks and Suns and was the leading candidate for the Hornets‘ opening as well. However, Fizdale was focused on New York and turned down other offers even before he received any assurances from the Knicks.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/10/19

December 10th, 2019 at 9:33pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Here are Tuesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

The Hornets recalled Cody Martin from the Greensboro Swarm, the team announced. The move concluded Martin’s fifth stint in the G League this season.
The Rockets have sent Isaiah Hartenstein down to the G League, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston relays (Twitter link). The big man has appeared in eight games for Houston this season.
The Kings have assigned Wenyen Gabriel to the Stockton Kings, the team announced on its Twitter feed. The power forward has seen action in seven games for Sacramento this season.
The Magic have sent Melvin Frazier Jr. and Amile Jefferson to the G League, the team’s Twitter feed reveals. Frazier and Jefferson suited up for the Lakeland Magic earlier tonight.