According to league sources, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link) has learnt that the Hornets have signed free agents Marcus Garrett, Joel Soriano, and Caleb McConnell to training camp contracts. The 6-foot-5 guard Garrett, who was not selected in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Kansas, played in 12 games for Miami during his rookie campaign while on a two-way deal with the Heat. But since turning pro, the former Naismith Defensive Player of the Year has mostly been involved in the G League. He played with the Hornets Summer League club in Las Vegas in July after spending the previous season with the Greensboro Swarm.
The 6-foot-10 centre Soriano did not receive a draft pick in June following his graduation from St. John’s University. During his final two college seasons, the big man averaged a double-double (14.5 points, 10.7 rebounds) in 66 games while also contributing 1.6 blocks and 1.4 assists in 29.3 minutes per game.
After graduating from Rutgers University undefeated in 2023, McConnell played his debut season with the Thunder’s G League club, the Oklahoma City Blue. In 47 Showcase Cup and regular season games for the Blue, who won the NBAGL championship in the spring, the 6-foot-7 wing—a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in college—averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. Greensboro acquired McConnell’s G League returning rights from Oklahoma City recently.
It is quite likely that Garrett, Soriano, and McConnell will sign non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts, which will entitle them to bonuses of up to $77.5K should the Hornets waive them after they play for the Swarm for at least 60 days. It’s important to remember that before opening night, Exhibit 10 contracts can also be changed to two-way agreements, and Charlotte does have an open two-way slot. The Hornets had 17 players on their offseason roster before formally adding these three additions: 14 are on normal contracts, two are on two-way agreements, and one (Keyontae Johnson) is on a camp contract. Additionally, it’s said that they and Raequan Battle agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract.
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