The Charlotte Hornets are making big offseason moves to hopefully propel their franchise to a much better record this year, after a dismal performance in the 2014-2015 season.
The Hornets front office announced July 9 that they will acquire point guard Jeremy Lin to add to their roster. This Wednesday, news that the team will sign University of North Carolina product Tyler Hansbrough surfaced, ESPN reported.
The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Hansbrough is a six-year NBA veteran who has seen playing time with the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. He plays the power forward position and will be filling the gap Bismack Biyombo left, after Hornets decided not to re-sign the big man.
Sources close to the player confirmed the reports, noted NBA.com.
This will be a homecoming of sorts for Hansborough, as he played four years as a Tar Heel, part of the storied collegiate franchise of UNC. Hansbrough led the University of North Carolina men's basketball team in scoring with an average of 18.9 points per game in his freshman year in 2006.
As an NBA player, Hansbrough's best showing came in the 2010-11 season where he posted a career-high 29 games and averaged 11 points and 5.2 rebounds. Signed as a free agent, Hornets hope the college star finds his groove with the Charlotte team.
The Hornets are overhauling their lineup this offseason after failing to make the playoffs last season.The Hornets needs a much-needed boost to help Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lin and Al Jefferson, after letting their last big free agent acquisition Lance Stephenson go following a bleak year for the team.