Hornets Signing Frank Ntilikina to One-Year Deal

The Hornets are signing guard Frank Ntilikina to a one-year contract, agents Olivier Mazet and Sam Rose told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The deal is partially guaranteed, Woj added, and likely for the veteran’s minimum.

Ntilikina, 25, is 6-foot-4 and has had a fairly inconsistent and underwhelming career since being selected by the Knicks with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

He spent each of his first four seasons with New York before signing a multiyear deal with the Mavericks in September 2021. Last season, he appeared in 47 games with the Mavericks, averaging a scarce 13 minutes a night.

Meanwhile, it appears the Hornets do not intend to re-sign free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr., perhaps opening a regular spot in the rotation for Ntilikina.

Free agent guard Frank Ntilikina has agreed on a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets, Sam Rose of CAA Sports and Olivier Mazet of Maz Sports tell ESPN. Ntilikina played 47 games for Dallas last season. The deal is partially guaranteed.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2023