BREAKING: Charlotte Hornets Reportedly Sign NBA Champion

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Charlotte Hornets will sign NBA Champion Ish Smith.

Ish Smith is coming off a year where he appeared in 43 games for the Denver Nuggets.

The 35-year-old averaged 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 39.7% from the field.

He also appeared in four NBA playoff games, as the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat.

This summer, Smith became a free agent, and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports that he is now signing with the Charlotte Hornets.

Via Charania: "The Charlotte Hornets are signing veteran guard Ish Smith, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Year 14 for Smith. Hornets are waiving Edmond Sumner to make roster space."

The Charlotte Hornets are signing veteran guard Ish Smith, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Year 14 for Smith. Hornets are waiving Edmond Sumner to make roster space.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2023

Smith has played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. 

His career averages are 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest while shooting 42.9% from the field and 32.3% from the three-point range (he has also appeared in 23 NBA playoff games).  

14 Teams in 14 Years!
Welcome to the Hornets, Ish Smith pic.twitter.com/6uSyPJxDI9

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 24, 2023

Meanwhile, the Hornets will play their first game of the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday evening when they host Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks in North Carolina. 

They are coming off a year where they dealt with injuries and finished as the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference. 

The Hornets last made the NBA playoffs during the 2016 season (seven-year drought) when Kemba Walker was still on the roster.  

More on the Charlotte Hornets can be read here