Longtime San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker reportedly reached an agreement Friday to sign with the Charlotte Hornets as a free agent.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Parker’s new contract is for two years and $10 million.
Parker is a Spurs legend.
He spent 17 years with the organization after being selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. He’s a six-time All-Star and a four-time champion, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP for the team’s triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007.
The 36-year-old Frenchman spoke with San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich to inform him he would be joining the Hornets despite the Spurs’ interest in keeping him, per Wojnarowski.
He told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated he considered offers from both the Spurs and Denver Nuggets before making his final decision.
Parker also denied he had a rift with Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, per Spears.
Hornets shooting guard Nicolas Batum, Parker’s teammate on France’s national team, posted a message on Twitter about the signing.
The veteran point guard will also reunite with Charlotte head coach James Borrego, who left his spot as a Spurs assistant in May to take over the Hornets.
Parker is no longer the dynamic, rim-attacking player he was during his prime. He averaged career-low totals in points (7.7), assists (3.5) and rebounds (1.7) last season while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and playing just 19.5 minutes per contest.
He’ll slot in as the chief reserve behind starter Kemba Walker at the point, which will take some pressure off University of Kansas product Devonte’ Graham during his rookie campaign.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
