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Basketball team, the Hornets, secure the signing of Keyontae Johnson following the termination of DaQuan Jeffries' contract.

Charlotte's NBA team, the Hornets, have signed free agent forward Keyontae Johnson, as announced on Thursday, after a roster spot became available...

Basketball team Hornets sign Keyontae Johnson, releasing DaQuan Jeffries from the roster instead.
Basketball team Hornets sign Keyontae Johnson, releasing DaQuan Jeffries from the roster instead.

Basketball team, the Hornets, secure the signing of Keyontae Johnson following the termination of DaQuan Jeffries' contract.

Charlotte Hornets Sign Forward Keyontae Johnson

The Charlotte Hornets have bolstered their roster with the addition of Keyontae Johnson, a versatile forward who was the 50th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Johnson signed a standard NBA contract with the team, with the term commencing from the 2023-2024 NBA season.

Johnson spent his rookie season on a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder before joining the Charlotte Hornets' G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, last season. In 46 games for Greensboro, he averaged an impressive 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 30.5 minutes per game. Johnson also showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 49.3% of his field goals and 37.5% of his 3-point attempts.

The new collective bargaining agreement allows NBA teams to carry up to three two-way players. However, with the addition of Johnson, the Hornets now have a full 21-man roster. This means that Johnson has likely signed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, which makes him eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he's waived by Charlotte and then spends at least 60 days with the Greensboro Swarm.

The Hornets' 2025-26 season will open against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 22. The team is expected to make additional moves before the start of training camp and the preseason, which begins in Charleston, South Carolina, on Sept. 30.

Johnson, 25, was waived by the Charlotte Hornets earlier, opening a roster spot for him to return to the team. His return to Charlotte follows the waiving of DaQuan Jeffries.

It's worth noting that the Greensboro Swarm hold Johnson's returning rights since he spent last season with the G League squad. This means that if Johnson doesn't make the Hornets' final roster, he could return to Greensboro.

The Hornets will hope that Johnson can bring his impressive form from the G League to the NBA, providing a valuable addition to their roster. As the team prepares for the new season, fans are eager to see how Johnson will fit into the team's plans.

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