The Charlotte Hornets add a 13 Year NBA Veteran for the second time

On the day of the NBA's opening night, 13-year veteran Ish Smith signs a contract to play yet another season in the league. Smith signs to with Charlotte to become a Hornet for the second time in his career.

The Charlotte Hornets are signing veteran guard Ish Smith, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Year 14 for Smith. Hornets are waiving Edmond Sumner to make roster space.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2023

NBA Career

Smith initially went undrafted in 2010 but found himself signed to a two-way contract to play for the Houston Rockets and the G-League side Rio Grande Vipers.


After his rookie season, he went on to play for a league record of 13 franchises over 13 seasons. His longest-tenured team was the Detroit Pistons, where he spent three seasons from 2016 until 2019.

After playing for 13 teams in 13 seasons, Ish Smith is 1 game away from his first ring pic.twitter.com/zlRIgjfC05— NBA University (@NBA_University) June 10, 2023

NBA Champion

Last season, Ish played for the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. He averaged around 9.3 minutes per game, recording 2.5 points and 2.3 assists. Alongside fellow NBA journeymen Jeff Green and DeAndre Jordan, he won his first NBA championship.

The OGs celebrate their 1st NBA Championship

Jeff Green: 12 Teams in 16 Seasons
DeAndre Jordan: 7 Teams in 15 Seasons
Ish Smith: 13 Teams in 13 Seasonspic.twitter.com/OXNORZX0bE— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 13, 2023

Hornets

Ish played 37 games for the Hornets in the 2021/2022 season and averaged 4.5 points and 2.6 assists before being traded to the Washington Wizards.


Joining the Hornets this time around, Smith will be used as a veteran leader to help develop their young core of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. His NBA championship experience will, of course, be of great use to instill a winning mentality into the rebuilding organization.