In a seismic shift that promises to shake up the hardwood across the Southeast, Collin Sexton has landed with the Charlotte Hornets, bringing an electrifying blend of youth and leadership. The 26-year-old shooting guard, who was part of a blockbuster offseason trade from Utah, is eager to make his mark in the Queen City. His mission? To transform the Hornets into a playoff powerhouse. “Super excited,” Sexton declared with palpable enthusiasm. “Super grateful for the opportunity. Ready to come in and help build the culture and just be a leader right away. I feel like the last couple of weeks practicing and stuff, it’s been a lot of fun but also getting used to the guys.”
Sexton arrives in Charlotte with a hefty price tag of $18.9 million for the final year of his contract, but his stats suggest he’s worth every penny. Averaging 18.4 points per game last season, with an impressive 48% shooting from the field and a sharp 40.6% from beyond the arc, Sexton is expected to inject a much-needed scoring boost into the Hornets’ offense. His fierce competitiveness is a trait that Hornets coach Charles Lee is both wary and welcoming of, recalling Sexton’s intense on-court demeanor from past encounters. “At times he would stare me down during games as the opposing coach or scout coach, and he’s always looking for some fuel to get him going,” Lee recounted with a chuckle. “So, when he first got here, I made sure to remind him of that, ‘Like, don’t be looking at me crazy like that anymore or your minutes are going to suffer now.’ But it’s great. I’m so glad to have him on our side.”
Meanwhile, in Washington, the spotlight has been thrust onto AJ Johnson, who turned heads at the Summer League after the Wizards chose to rest their top players. Johnson, who was picked up midseason from Milwaukee, relished the opportunity to shine in Las Vegas. “I think it would be hard for us to find anybody who’s not wearing a Wizards uniform out here that can stay in front of AJ Johnson,” Wizards coach J.J. Outlaw remarked, praising the guard’s relentless drive and offensive prowess.
Though the Orlando Magic couldn’t secure a win during the Summer League, the franchise remains optimistic thanks to standout performances from rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda, as well as second-year player Tristan Da Silva. Richardson, drafted out of Michigan State, stepped up as the team’s primary ball-handler, demonstrating an impressive ability to command the offense and contribute defensively. “He played two really tough, physical teams and he did a heck of a job commanding our offense, getting his teammates involved when he needed to and looked to score when he needed,” coach Ameer Bahhur noted, applauding Richardson’s adaptability in his first taste of NBA-level competition.
In Atlanta, Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh is navigating the challenges of his new role, placing a strong emphasis on the development of young talent through the Summer League. Saleh’s focus is on fostering a competitive environment that will cultivate the next generation of Hawks stars, a vision he shared in a candid discussion about his aspirations for the team’s future.
