New OKC Thunder player signs with Charlotte Hornets
Keyontae Johnson has just completed his rookie season in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He finished the year averaging 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting 31.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range in nine games.
This summer, Johnson was a free agent who could sign with any team in the league.
On Tuesday, Priority Sports announced that Johnson has signed with the Charlotte Hornets.
The newest resident of Buzz City: @Keyontae! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/ywjrHauqp6
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) 20 August 2024
Johnson was selected 50th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft after playing college basketball for Florida and Kansas State.
In addition to the NBA, the 24-year-old also spent a lot of time in the G League last season.
He averaged 19.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range in 25 regular season games.
MY GOODNESS! ⚡️🤯
KEYONTAE JOHNSON JUST HAS A BANG FOR THE @okcblau. pic.twitter.com/q3LcdeC6bb
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 1, 2024
The Hornets are a rebuilding team, so signing a player like Johnson as a development project makes a lot of sense.
Given his performance in the G League, there is reason to believe he could get playing time on an NBA team next season.
It’s a DUNK PARTY! 💥
Keyontae Johnson with two consecutive sweet slams. @okcblau pic.twitter.com/gwkE81qE1g
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 9, 2024
The Hornets finished last season as the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-61.
They haven’t made the NBA playoffs since the 2016 season, when Kemba Walker was still on the roster (eight years ago).
Nevertheless, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are two of the best young players in the league.
