Transaction: Hornets Bring Back a Familiar Face

Charlotte adds another piece to the backcourt.

With a backcourt riddled with injuries, the Charlotte Hornets had to make a move. Tuesday afternoon, they did just that by signing veteran guard Ish Smith, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Charlotte native and Wake Forest alum has had quite the journey, playing for 13 different teams over 13 seasons. He signed with the Hornets in 2021, playing in 37 games averaging 4.5 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game. Midway through the season he was included in a trade with Vernon Carey Jr. to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Montrezl Harrell.

This past season, Smith won his first NBA ring as a benchpiece for the Denver Nuggets. He appeared in 43 games and totaled 2.5 points and 2.3 assists per game in an average of 9.3 minutes per contest.

Smith is a cheap reliable option that has some familiarity with several pieces on this current team and will be a quality backup to LaMelo Ball while Frank Ntilikina recovers from a tibia fracture. 

To make room for Smith, the Hornets are waiving Edmond Sumner. 

Sumner appeared in 53 games last season with the Brooklyn Nets and averaged 7.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 35% from three-point land.

The Hornets will tip the season off Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks at Spectrum Center at 7 p.m. EST.

2023-24 Charlotte Hornets Season Preview

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