RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 March 2023

• LaMelo Ball Aiming To Be Ready For Training Camp Next Season

  LaMelo Ball said that his goal was to be ready for next season's training camp on Monday, speaking to reporters for the first time since undergoing season-ending ankle surgery on March 1.

  "It's tough. I mean probably annoying just going through it, but I'm still alive and stuff like that, so you can't really be too mad. Just go through the rehab, do that whole process and try to come out on top," said Ball.

  Ball played just 36 games due to ankle injuries this season.

  Ball added that he was still unsure whether he would wear ankle braces next season.

  "I haven't really looked into that yet. I gotta see how I feel first when I come back. Then I will make a decision."

• Michael Jordan In Talks To Sell Majority Stake Of Hornets

  Michael Jordan is in talks to sell a majority stake of the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall.

  No deal is imminent but there's significant momentum on a sale.

  Jordan is expected to remain with a minority stake in the franchise. Jordan has been the league's only Black majority owner.

  Jordan paid $275 million for a majority stake in the franchise in 2010. Jordan sold a significant minority stake to Plotkin, founder and chief investment officer of Melvin Capital, and Daniel Sundheim, founder and chief investment officer of D1 Capital, in 2020. Sundheim is part of the group working to purchase the team.

• No Timetable For Mark Williams' Return From Sprained Thumb

  There is no definitive timetable for Mark Williams' return from a sprained right thumb this season, according to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer.

  Boone adds that Williams' status for the rest of the season is "murky."

  "It's just going to be kind of watching and waiting to see how he feels. I don't think we really have a great idea how long it'll be as of right now," said Steve Clifford.

  Williams is averaging 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in his rookie season.

• LaMelo Ball Out For Season After Undergoing Ankle Surgery

  LaMelo Ball is set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his right ankle, the Charlotte Hornets announced on Wednesday.

  Ball suffered the injury on Monday night against the Pistons.

  The 21-year-old played just 36 games this season.

  Ball is expected to make a full recovery.

• LaMelo Ball Suffers Right Ankle Fracture

  LaMelo Ball suffered a fracture in his right ankle in Monday's game against the Detroit Pistons.

  Ball missed a portion of the first part of the season with a left ankle injury.

  Ball's third NBA season is now almost certainly over after playing 35 games and averaging 23.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 8.5 assists.

• Bryce McGowens, Hornets To Sign Four-Year, $7.4M Contract

  The Charlotte Hornets are signing Bryce McGowens to a four-year, $7.4 million contract. McGowens had been playing with the Hornets this season on a Two-Way contract.

  McGowens was a candidate to be converted as he's out of NBA days on his Two-Way deal. He's been a regular rotation player for Steve Clifford over the last two months.

  McGowens was selected with the 10th pick of the second round at the 2022 NBA Draft. The Hornets acquired McGowens' rights in a draft night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 26 NBA games, the 6-foot-6 wing has averaged 4.1 points and shot 36.4%.

• Miles Bridges Believes He Could Play As Early As March

  Miles Bridges has missed the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season after pleading no contest to domestic violence charges. Those charges stemmed from allegations that Bridges assaulted his girlfriend in front of their two children in June.

  Bridges attended the Michigan State-Indiana game in East Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday and told The Associated Press that his return to the NBA might be coming soon.

  "It's been a long process," Bridges said. "I might be back in March."

  The NBA has yet to levy any punishment on Bridges, because he remains an unsigned free agent. The Charlotte Hornets control Bridges' restricted free agent rights. When asked about Bridges earlier in February, Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak gave no indication of what the team's plans are with 6-foot-7 forward.

  "The NBA is conducting an investigation and I don't know when that is going to end," Kupchak said. "When it ends, we'll have more information and we'll go from there. I'll leave it up to you to decide what kind of impact that had on our team this year."

• Reggie Jackson Agrees To Buyout With Hornets, Plans To Sign With Nuggets

  Reggie Jackson has agreed to a buyout with the Charlotte Hornets and plans to sign with the Denver Nuggets once he clears waivers.

  Jackson was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Hornets at the deadline.

  The Nuggets have a need for depth at point guard following their trade of Bones Hyland to the Clippers.

• Reggie Jackson Likely To Be Bought Out By Hornets With Suns Interested

  Reggie Jackson and the Charlotte Hornets will likely agree to a contract buyout, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.

  The Hornets traded for Jackson from the Los Angeles Clippers at the deadline.

  Jackson will be one of the top point guard options on the buyout market and he will prioritize playing for a contender.

  Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report indicated on Thursday evening that the Phoenix Suns and Jackson will likely have mutual interest.

• Clippers Acquire Mason Plumlee From Hornets For Reggie Jackson

  The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed acquire Mason Plumlee from the Charlotte Hornets for Reggie Jackson. Plumlee is on a $9 million expiring contract.

  Plumlee gives the Clippers a second big man behind Ivica Zubac.

  The Clippers have remade their backcourt in sending out Jackson and John Wall while acquiring Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon. The Clippers have also been linked with Russell Westbrook, who is expected to be bought out.