charlotte hornets

LaMelo Ball’s Staggering New Contract With Charlotte Hornets

by

LaMelo Ball became an instant star when he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 NBA Draft. Hornets fans welcomed Ball and his exciting brand of basketball to a town desperate for a winner. In his short three years in the league, Ball hasn’t disappointed when taking the floor. The former Rookie of the Year has helped lead the Hornets to two appearances in the play-in tournament. However, the team has failed to reach the NBA Playoffs in those years. But that didn’t stop the Hornets from making sure that Ball’s future will be in Charlotte.

It was recently announced that Ball is staying with the Hornets after signing a five-year $260 million extension. The signing is a strong statement by a franchise looking to move in the right direction. Unfortunately, last season, Ball dealt with a severe ankle injury that has plagued him for most of his run in Charlotte. However, the organization nor Ball see any serious ramifications from the lengthy time missed. But it does make Charlotte fans wonder if the young guard will be durable during his massive contract extension.

Read More: LaMelo Ball’s Puma MB.02 Gets “Be You” Colorway

LaMelo Ball Contract Extension Is The New Wave Of NBA Contracts

The franchise should be somewhat suspicious of big contracts. As the team has yet to receive the full potential from their most recent free agent signing splash in Gordon Hayward. While Hayward’s play has been solid for the team, it is his availability that has been a concern. In his three years with the team, Hayward hasn’t appeared in 60 games during a single season. Which could be a big reason as to why the team selected Alabama forward Brandon Miller in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, Hayward’s spot on the team this season should be considered safe.

A nearly $300 million contract isn’t a rarer occurrence in the league these days. However, handing that type of money out comes with massive responsibility. With this contract, the Hornets are telling Ball they believe in him. However, that doesn’t mean that this situation is destined for a fairytale ending. Should the Hornets have extended LaMelo Ball to such a large contract? Will Ball continue to help make the franchise competitive? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: LaMelo Ball Has A New Signature Shoe Surface Online

[Via]

The post LaMelo Ball’s Staggering New Contract With Charlotte Hornets appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Charlotte Hornets Eyeing Scoot Henderson With Second Overall Pick

by

With the NBA Draft just hours away, the question remains as to what will happen with the second-overall pick. Currently held by the Charlotte Hornets, the team has been linked with a number of trades to acquire talent. However, it has become more and more evident that the Hornets are moving towards selecting a player with the pick.

That in itself raises another question – who? Beyond presumptive first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama, there is a less definitive second-best prospect in the draft. However, experts rank Alabama’s Brandon Miller and the G League’s Scoot Henderson as the best prospects after Wembanyana.

For most of the pre-draft process, it is believed that the Hornets valued Miller over Henderson. This was largely over beliefs that Henderson would challenge LaMelo Ball’s position in the starting lineup, while Miller could fill a bigger need for the team. However, the most recent reports suggest that Charlotte’s opinions are changing.

Related: Boston Celtics get Kristaps Porziņģis and first-round picks in three-team trade with Wizards, Grizzlies

Henderson’s Draft Stock Rises For The Hornets

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, it has become a much tougher decision for the Hornets. Per Charania, the decision will be made in the draft. Furthermore, the Hornets will not be informing either player that they will be the selection before they submit the pick to the league office. Per Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak, outgoing owner Michael Jordan will have the final say on the pick.

This, as noted by Yahoo Sports‘ Jake Fischer, is the long-time MO of Kupchak. Back in 2015, Kupchak was GM of the Warriors, who also held the #2 pick. Narrowing down the choice to D’Angelo Russell and Jahlil Okafor, Kupchak kept the choice under wraps until it was sent to the league office.

Henderson’s entrance into the NBA has been highly anticipated for many years. He forwent the NCAA to play in the G League, one of many in this draft class. Listed at 6″3 and 185lbs, he is the best point guard of the draft class. However, both he or Miller could change the fortunes of the Hornets’ ailing franchise.

Related: Michael Jordan sells Hornets to an ownership group including J. Cole

Draft Night Drama After Hornets Pick?

With the Hornets seemingly locking in on using the second-overall pick, we will see a dramatic draft night trade? The decision that the Portland Trail Blazers make at #3 could affect the organization for years to come. They could trade whoever the Hornets don’t pick one pick earlier. However, that could drive Damian Lillard out of Portland.

Alternatively, they could finally swing a trade to bring an elite teammate for a win-now run with Dame. However, this could be a move that dooms the franchise if they fall short of the ring. Furthermore, they have lost some of the leverage they once had, as teams who want to trade up for Henderson will now look to speak with Charlotte and not the Blazers.

In terms of rumored movement, Portland reportedly had a trade for Paul George rejected by the Clippers. Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst is reporting that despite the Blazers shutting down trade talk for Lillard, a number of teams are still preparing offers. This comes as the Blazers saying that they intend to use their pick tonight. However, that cannot be confirmed until Adam Silver stands at that podium in New York.

Related: Washington Wizards trade Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors

[via][via]

The post Charlotte Hornets Eyeing Scoot Henderson With Second Overall Pick appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

J. Cole Shows His North Carolina Love By Buying (Part Of) The Charlotte Hornets

by
j.-cole.jpg
Getty Image

J. Cole has been very loud and consistent about his love for his home state, North Carolina, and today, it was announced that he’s part of an ownership group buying its favorite NBA team. Michael Jordan, the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, has reached a deal to sell the team to a new buyer group, according to NBA.com, that includes J. Cole and fellow NC recording artist Eric Church, as well as Hornets part owner Gabe Plotkin and equity manager Rick Schnall, who was a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks. Schnall will, of course, sell his stake in the Hawks as the deal is completed.

Now, the deal to sell the Hornets must be reviewed by the NBA’s board of governors, but they’ve yet to reject a deal to sell a team (although they’ve shot down a handful of relocation bids, as well as the notorious trade to send Chris Paul to the Lakers in 2011). Michael Jordan will stay on as a minority owner, while ownership also encompasses the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm and NBA 2K League’s Hornets Venom GT, and managing and operating the Spectrum Center arena.

J. Cole’s had extensive involvement with the NBA, from appearing on the cover of NBA 2K23 to convincing the Heat to sign Caleb Martin to playing in the BAL, a joint venture between the NBA and FIBA. The guy just loves hoops — and now, he has one more reason to show up at those Hornets games.

J. Cole Part of New Charlotte Hornets Ownership

by

After 13 years, Michael Jordan has sold the Charlotte Hornets. First reported by Adrian Wojnarowski, Jordan is finalizing a sale to an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall. The news comes amid rumors that the team is looking to swing a trade to bring 2019 first-overall pick Zion Williamson to Charlotte.

However, this could be the start of a new era in Charlotte. The Hornets have long been regarded as one of the NBA’s worst teams. Since Jordan assumed majority ownership in 2010, the team has had just three winning seasons and two playoff appearances. Last season, the team went 27-55 under head coach Steve Clifford. 2022-23 marked the first season of Clifford’s second stint with the team. Previously, Clifford had coached the Hornets between 2013 and 2018. However, the new ownership group also features a famous face from the music world.

J. Cole Joins Hornets Ownership

First reported by Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, North Carolina rapper J. Cole will hold a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets once the sale is finalized. Cole was born in Frankfurt, Germany but raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A lifelong sports fan, specifically basketball, Cole has made several headlines related to the NBA in recent months. Namely, Cole was behind the Miami Heat’s signing of Caleb Martin, a fellow North Carolinian who found himself in Cole’s gym after being cut by the Hornets. Martin later thanked Cole for the opportunity after the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals this season. Elsewhere, LSU star Flau’jae Johnson named Cole as her dream music collab.

Zillgitt also revealed that Eric Church was another member of the ownership group. Church, born in Granite Falls, North Carolina, is a country singer with six top-five charting albums. However, Cole’s love of basketball makes it no surprise that the musician would become part of the new-look Hornets. The final price of the sale has not yet been made public. However, Jordan bought majority ownership of the team in 2010 for $180 million. Do you think that the new ownership will turn the Hornets around? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports and music news here at HotNewHipHop.

[via]

The post J. Cole Part of New Charlotte Hornets Ownership appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Michael Jordan Finalizing Sale Of Charlotte Hornets

by

After retiring from the NBA, Michael Jordan went into sports ownership. In 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in the then-Charlotte Bobcats. Furthermore, Jordan assumed full control of basketball operations under the title of Manager Member of Basketball Operations. Jordan became the team’s majority owner in 2010. The team became the Hornets ahead of the 2014-15 season. It was a return to the name the team had formerly had before briefly relocating to New Orleans.

However, the Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the NBA since Jordan took over. Not that the Hornets were good before but Jordan has mismanaged the team, turning them into the laughingstock of the league. In his second full season of ownership, 2011-12, the Hornets won seven games. Additionally, the team has had just three winning seasons and two playoff appearances. Now, it looks as if a new era is beginning in Charlotte.

Jordan Sells The Hornets

Jordan has made it no secret that he is looking to part ways with the Hornets for some time. However, June 16 marked a major breakthrough on that front. ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Jordan had finalized a deal to sell the team. The sale, which is for an as-yet undisclosed amount, will see an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall take the reins. Plotkin is a co-founder of the somewhat infamous venture capital firm Melvin Capital. Meanwhile, Schnall is co-president of the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier, & Rice. Additionally, Schnall owns a minority stake in the Atlanta Hawks.

The news coincided with major rumors about the team’s immediate future. Marc Stein has reported that the Hornets are in talks with the New Orleans Pelicans about a major trade. The anchor of this deal will see 2019 first-overall pick Zion Williamson head to Charlotte in exchange for the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. Adding Williamson, who is an elite, MVP-caliber player when healthy, could be the immediate reverse of fortune that the Hornets desperately need. There are multiple developing stories happening in Charlotte and we’ll have updates on all of them here at HotNewHipHop.

[via]

The post Michael Jordan Finalizing Sale Of Charlotte Hornets appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

NBA Suspends Miles Bridges For 30 Games, Twitter Reacts

by

Miles Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season, stemming from charges of domestic violence and child abuse. The Charlotte Hornets forward has now learned his fate from the NBA. NBA insider Shams Charania is reporting the league has suspended Bridges for 30 games. However, the league will consider 20 of those games already served. Bridges will miss the first ten games of the 2023-24 season. The news has evoked a lot of emotion from those on Twitter.

Last summer, Bridges was arrested for domestic violence. The incident became public knowledge when Bridges’ ex-girlfriend posted photos online of the physical abuse she received at the hands of Bridges. Reportedly the incident took place in front of the former couple’s child. Bridges received three years of probation while avoiding jail time in the situation. However, the league’s recent suspension of Bridges isn’t enough for a lot of people. Fans of the league took to Twitter on Friday to voice their displeasure with the ruling.

Miles Bridges Set To Return In 2023-24

Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and has no place in our world. The Hornets have yet to comment on the situation regarding Bridges and the NBA’s decision. However, Bridges mentioned earlier this year that he expected to be back with the team before the end of this season. However, that obviously wasn’t the case. Bridges attended a Hornets matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers as a fan earlier this season. Now it seems like the former Michigan State Spartans star will be rejoining his team. Or at least will be available for any team to acquire his services.

Bridges was set to be a big free agent target before the domestic violence incident. Now, it is unknown if the Hornets or any team will welcome him back to the league. However, we have seen athletes do heinous acts and be welcomed back to their sport with open arms. Where do you stand on the NBA’s suspension of Miles Bridges? Should Bridges ever play in the NBA again? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest news regarding the NBA, keep it right here with HNHH.

Colin Cowherd Rips Michael Jordan In Epic Rant: Watch

by

Colin Cowherd is someone who has always been brutally honest when speaking on topics around the sports world. Overall, he is one of the funnier personalities because of his contradictions. One day he will say one thing, only to go back on it the very next day. Ultimately, this makes him very relatable as we have all contradicted ourselves to brush off being wrong the first time. Although Cowherd does this to mixed results, there is no denying the fact that he is great at eliciting responses from people.

Recently, Cowherd was on his very own podcast where he absolutely went off on Michael Jordan. This rant was prompted by the fact that Jordan is looking to sell his stake in the Charlotte Hornets. Consequently, Cowherd decided to destroy Jordan for his post-playing career. Moreover, Cowherd suggested that without Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen, there would be no mythology around MJ. It was an absolutely scathing takedown that continues to go viral throughout social media.

Colin Cowherd Speaks

“He tried baseball. Failed. He tried ownership. Was awful. He tried the Wizards. It bombed,” Cowherd said. “Everybody understands, that take out Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson, this whole Michael Jordan mythology is sort of just that. He’s arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time… Michael was always a bit of a selfish player. He’s a bit of a selfish guy. And, he’s not great at building community. He’s great at building wealth for Michael Jordan. That’s fine. It’s not a criticism, it’s a reality of who Michael is.” Overall, these are some very strong words. However, they aren’t exactly new thoughts. Many have said these things about Jordan before, just not in such brazen of a fashion.

Coming from Cowherd, these words might not hold very much weight. Had one of Jordan’s peers said it, then people would absolutely listen. But from Cowherd, it just comes across like an attempt to go viral. Either way, it certainly worked as this podcast clip continues to make the rounds. Let us know what you think of the rant, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

Michael Jordan Could Sell His Stake In The Hornets: Report

by

Michael Jordan is one of the richest former athletes in the entire world. Overall, his net worth is currently over $2 billion, which is definitely a lot. There are a few factors for his wealth. Firstly, you have the savings from his playing career. Although, these are a drop in the bucket compared to how much money he made everywhere else. Secondly, Jumpman is a billion-dollar company that brings in massive profits every single year. Lastly, you have his assets, notably the Charlotte Hornets, who are worth over $1.5 billion at this point.

Jordan purchased the Hornets back in 2010 for a price of $250 million. Since that time, his investment has sextupled. This is a huge unrealized gain that would make any investor smile with glee. Now, however, Jordan could very well be looking to turn that unrealized gain into a realized one. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, MJ is thinking about selling his stake in the team.

Michael Jordan Made A Solid Investment

Basketball legend Michael Jordan walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at the Miami International Autodrome on May 08, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

At this juncture, it should be noted that Jordan has yet to actually make any final decisions. Instead, he is simply waiting to see what he should do next. There are a few options in terms of buyers. One such person is Gabe Plotkin, who currently boasts a minority stake in the franchise. Overall, this would be a massive sale that could definitely shake up the league. After all, Jordan has been criticized in the past for not being the best owner. His decisions in the front office have oftentimes perplexed fans.

If he does decide to sell the team, it will be interesting to see what happens with 23XI Racing. This is Jordan’s NASCAR team that he part-owns with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. Moreover, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick are his two drivers. Either way, this is a developing story that we will continue to follow over the coming weeks and months. Let us know what you think about the situation, down below.

[Via]

Michael Jordan Reportedly In Talks To Sell Majority Stake Of Charlotte Hornets Ownership

by
Michael Jordan Makes $10 Million Donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation to Celebrate His 60th Birthday

Yesterday, March 16th, it was reported that Michael Jordan was reportedly in talks to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news about the possible sale, reporting that Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall, are in the running to acquire Jordan’s majority stake. The two bought their stake in the Hornets from BET co-founder Bob Johnson in 2010.

Jordan bought the stake in the Hornets franchise in 2010 for $275 million, making him the only Black majority owner in the NBA.

At the time of the purchase, Jordan said that purchasing the team had fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a NBA franchise.

“Purchasing the Bobcats [Charlotte’s team name from 2004–2014 before returning to the Hornets] is the culmination of my post-playing career goal of becoming the majority owner of an NBA franchise. I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to build a winning team in my home state of North Carolina.”

However, if Jordan does sell his stake, he will still retain a minority stake in the franchise.

The post Michael Jordan Reportedly In Talks To Sell Majority Stake Of Charlotte Hornets Ownership appeared first on The Source.

LaMelo Ball Hit With Horrible Injury News

by

LaMelo Ball is easily one of the most fun young players in the entire NBA. Overall, he is someone who plays the game with a lot of jump in his step. Additionally, he is one of those guys who is always doing a great job when it comes to highlight reel plays. His passes are off-the-charts impressive, and there is no doubt that he will be someone to watch for a very long time. If the Hornets were to start surrounding him with other stars, then that team would most definitely launch themselves into the postseason.

Unfortunately, LaMelo has been a bit injury prone over the last few years. He has gone down with a few ankle injuries and they have kept him out of the lineup for some time. Consequently, the Hornets have sunken to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. At this point, they are one of those teams hoping to get Victor Wembanyama. Last night, Melo got injured yet again, this time while playing the Detroit Pistons. Although his team won, Melo had to leave the game early with a non-contact ankle injury.

LaMelo Ball Goes Down

When the game was over, Shams Charania of The Athletic took to Twitter and reported that Melo had suffered a right ankle fracture. Simply put, the point guard is now done for the season. There are only about 20 games left in the season, with a month of action to go. Having said that, it seems like the best course of action would be to shut LaMelo down and allow him to come back next year. It’s not ideal, but the Hornets really have no choice right now.

Hopefully, LaMelo is able to come back stronger than ever. He is the face of the Hornets, and their hopes are riding on his shoulders. However, Michael Jordan should probably think about giving his young point guard some help. It would go a long way in making sure that Ball isn’t left having to carry a team. All while putting tremendous strain on his body. Stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest updates from around the sports world.

[Via]