Terry Rozier will stay buzzing in Charlotte as the Hornets signed the former Louisville star to a massive four-year, $97 million max contract extension that will last through the 2025-26 season. His agent Aaron Turner at Verus Basketball confirmed the deal, which will make Rozier one of the top-10 highest-paid guards in the NBA.
Rozier landed the huge extension after having a career year with Charlotte in the 2020-21 NBA season. He recorded career-high averages of 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in his second season with the Hornets. Rozier also shot a career-best 45.2 percent from the field and made 222 three-pointers last season, the fifth-best in the league.
Rozier's career flourishes in Charlotte after the Boston trade
Rozier arrived in Charlotte with plenty of question marks after the Celtics traded him for Hornets star Kemba Walker ahead of the 2019-20 season. Rozier averaged just 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in four seasons played with the Celtics, a huge drop-off from the numbers posted by Walker in Charlotte.
Rozier's value skyrocketed, however, last season when he teamed up with rookie sensation LaMelo Ball and new signing Gordon Hayward. The Hornets looked to be on their way to ending their playoff drought last year, surging to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings at one stage. However, injuries to Ball and Hayward derailed their postseason bid as they missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Hornets top brass liked what they saw from Rozier and co., though, deciding to run it back with last year's main players. Retaining Rozier will help provide stability to a Hornets team that lost Devonte' Graham, Cody Zeller, and Malik Monk this past offseason.
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LiAngelo Ball hoping to team up with brother LaMelo in Charlotte
The Hornets might not be done with their offseason tinkering as they are reportedly interested in signing Summer League sensation LiAngelo Ball. He became a fan favorite in Las Vegas while playing for the Hornets' Summer League team, averaging 9.6 points, two rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 17.4 minutes played off the bench.
Ball had an impressive debut for Charlotte, scoring 16 points in 16 minutes of action against the Portland Trail Blazers. LiAngelo believes he has earned a shot to play in the NBA following his Summer League exploits, saying, "I feel like I belong in the league."
He has yet to appear in an official NBA game, unlike his more famous brothers Lonzo and LaMelo. LiAngelo might finally be given a shot by the team his brother LaMelo plays for. Charlotte lead assistant coach Jay Triano praised LiAngelo's work ethic and talent, saying, "Great kid. Love him. He can shoot it, great feel, knack for scoring."
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