According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, former Boston Celtics first-round draft pick R.J. Hunter is joining the Charlotte Hornets for the upcoming season.
Hunter came into the league as the 28th pick in the 2015 NBA draft and had a reputation as a high-level perimeter scorer who could shoot off the catch and the dribble. At the time, the rebuilding Celtics needed additional 3-point shooting, leading to high expectations for the former Georgia State player.
Unfortunately, Hunter’s game never fit with the Celtics system, and the floor spacing guard found himself joining the Chicago Bulls the following season. Hunter bounced around the NBA for two more seasons, including spells with the Houston Rockets and a one-game return with the Celtics.
Since then, Hunter has been plying his trade in the G League and overseas, with spells in Turkey and Australia. In his most recent stop, Hunter’s season was cut short due to a season-ending injury, forcing the Syndey Kings to replace him on their roster.
Now, Hunter will have another chance at cracking an NBA rotation. He joins a Hornets team that finished bottom of the NBA’s offensive rating charts. However, it’s unlikely Hunter gets any legitimate minutes this season unless Charlotte decides to tank or suffers an injury crisis similar to last season.
Hunter came out of Georgia State with averages of 18.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting 42.3% from 3-point range, and now the former first-round pick will be hoping to display that level of shot-making for his new team, in a bid to stick on an NBA roster.
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