Former Cavs big man inks deal with Hornets
Marques Bolden Joins Charlotte Hornets on 10-Day Contract
Reportedly, Marques Bolden, previously associated with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is said to be finalizing a 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Bolden entered the NBA scene with a single game for the Cavs during the 2019-20 NBA season, followed by six appearances the subsequent season. This year, the 25-year-old played two games with the Milwaukee Bucks. His stint with the Cavs saw him averaging 1.0 point and 1.1 rebounds per game over seven appearances, while he remained scoreless during his time with the Bucks.
The Charlotte Hornets are signing center Marques Bolden to a 10-day contract, agent Michael Johnson Jr. of All Day Group tells @TheAthletic @Stadium. Bolden is averaging 17 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over a six-game winning streak for the G League's Wisconsin Herd.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2024
However, Bolden showcased stronger performances in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, the affiliate of the Bucks. Notably, he averaged 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game across 18 outings in the G League’s 2023-24 regular season.
The Charlotte Hornets currently occupy the 13th spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 13-41. Despite a recent three-game winning streak, they faced a challenging stretch earlier in the season, enduring 19 losses in 21 games.
In contrast, the Cleveland Cavaliers are experiencing a successful season, having won 18 of their last 20 games leading up to the NBA All-Star break. With a 36-17 record, they hold the second position in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Boston Celtics and narrowly ahead of the Bucks.
Cleveland is scheduled to play against the Orlando Magic on Thursday and then face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Following the NBA trade deadline, reports suggest that the Cavs are considering potential buyout targets. While they expressed interest in Danilo Gallinari, he ultimately signed with the Bucks. Other speculated targets include Joe Harris, Furkan Korkmaz, Davis Bertans, Seth Curry, and Evan Fournier. The possibility of additional acquisitions remains uncertain as the season progresses.
The Cavs are slated to encounter the Hornets twice later next month and will also conclude the regular season against them. It remains to be seen if Bolden can secure a lasting position with Charlotte to confront his former team.
