10/04/2023, 5:35 PM
Will get some run in G League
Smith, the 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was a lot of fun to watch at Summer League before he was shut down. However, the Hornets have a ton of depth at guard with LaMelo Ball back in action, so it will be hard for the rookie to carve out playing time at the NBA level early on in his career.
10/04/2023, 5:13 PM
Practicing to start training camp
Ball missed the Hornets' final 19 games of the season with a fractured right ankle, but he looks to be healthy heading into the 2023-24 after spending the past few months recovering from surgery. According to Reed, Ball was practicing Tuesday with protective braces on both of his legs, which the point guard said he's been wearing in summer workouts and pickup games. With Ball having sprained his right ankle twice last season before fracturing it, he's hoping that wearing the braces will reduce the possibility of an aggravation while not hindering his play.
10/04/2023, 5:10 PM
Looking good in practice
Head coach Steve Clifford singled out Rozier for his work ethic during Monday's media day, and it's worth noting that the guard arrived in Charlotte a month early to prepare for the season. With LaMelo Ball healthy and running the point, Rozier will shift back to shooting guard, a role he's more familiar with. Rozier was carrying a foot injury at the end of the 2022-23 season, but that should be well behind him now.