Nuggets' KJ Simpson: Inks two-way deal with Nuggets
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The Nuggets signed Simpson (hip) to a two-way contract Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Denver converted Spencer Jones' two-way contract to a standard deal earlier Wednesday, and they've filled the vacated two-way slot with Simpson. Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had spent his entire career with the Hornets before being waived Feb. 6. He appeared in 14 NBA games this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 15.9 minutes. Before being waived by Charlotte, Simpson had been tending to a hip injury.
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KJ Simpson: Waived by Charlotte
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The Hornets waived Simpson on Friday.
Originally selected by Charlotte with the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the second-year guard holds career averages of 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes per game across 50 appearances. He'll now be able to seek opportunities elsewhere.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Won't play Thursday
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Simpson (hip) is out for Thursday's game in Houston.
This will be Simpson's fifth consecutive game on the sidelines due to the hip issue, and for now, he should be considered doubtful for Saturday's game in Atlanta. When the Hornets' backcourt has been healthy this season, Simpson has been a negligible part of the rotation.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Listed out Thursday
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Simpson is out for Thursday's game against Orlando with a left hip flexor strain.
The Hornets have now ruled Simpson out for both halves of their back-to-back set. The second-year guard's next chance to play comes Saturday against the Wizards, but it's possible Simpson will report back to the G League's Greensboro Swarm when healthy.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Headed to bench
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Simpson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Sion James will replace Simpson in the first unit for Sunday's game, but the latter should still see significant minutes in the rotation with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Collin Sexton (quad) and Tre Mann (knee) all unavailable. Over the past three games, Simpson has recorded averages of 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 triples, 2.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers per game on 41/39/63 shooting splits.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting Sunday
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Simpson will start against the Nuggets on Sunday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Collin Sexton (quadriceps) unavailable, Simpson will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The two-way player logged a season-high 28 minutes in Friday's win over the Raptors, during which he registered eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Season-high 28 minutes
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Simpson accumulated eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five steals, four assists and three rebounds across 28 minutes during Friday's 111-86 victory over Toronto.
Simpson logged a season-high minutes total, closing the game after LaMelo Ball exited early with yet another ankle injury. The two-way player made the most of his time on the court and could become a more regular part of the rotation if Ball is forced to miss additional time.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Back to NBA
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Charlotte recalled Simpson from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
After getting in a practice session with the Swarm on Monday, Simpson was immediately recalled. He will continue to provide emergency depth for the Hornets.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Sent to G League
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The Hornets transferred Simpson to the G League's Swarm on Monday.
The Hornets are beginning a two-game road trip Monday in Toronto, so the fact that Simpson was sent to the G League suggests that he won't be available for either of those contests. Simpson has appeared in six games for the Hornets this season, with all coming when LaMelo Ball hasn't been available.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable vs. Thunder
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Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
A left AC joint sprain continues to plague Simpson, though the issue shouldn't keep him out Saturday. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) set to take a seat against Oklahoma City, Simpson is in line to at least be part of the rotation. The two-way player has averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per game over five games this season, shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Probable for Wednesday
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Simpson (shoulder) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
A shoulder sprain isn't expected to keep Simpson from playing Wednesday. Simpson has averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15.8 minutes per contest over four games this season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Fares well off bench
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Simpson closed Tuesday's 116-112 loss to the Pelicans with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds over 13 minutes.
Simpson is on a two-way contract with the Hornets, but he made his second appearance of the season Tuesday due to some injuries in Charlotte. Once the Hornets get some reinforcements back, Simpson is likely to be a featured player for the Greensboro Swarm in the G League.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Leading scorer in SL win
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Simpson totaled 18 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven assists, one rebound and one steal across 25 minutes in Monday's 87-69 Summer League win over the Mavericks.
Simpson delivered another strong showing Monday, leading all scorers with 18 points. He saw extended minutes to close out his rookie 2024-25 campaign, starting the Hornets' final 10 regular-season games and averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 36.4 percent in 30.2 minutes per game.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Across-the-board production
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Simpson totaled 10 points (4-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt), eight rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals in 32 minutes during Monday's 110-106 victory over Utah.
Simpson started for the third straight game, delivering another intriguing performance. With LaMelo Ball having been ruled out for the season due to ankle and wrist injuries, Simpson appears to have secured the starting role. Over the past three games, he has averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Raptors.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle/wrist) out for the season, Simpson will draw the start Friday and offer some streaming value. Simpson has averaged 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.7 minutes over five games as a starter this season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson will start in Friday's game against the Thunder.
The 22-year-old point guard will receive the starting nod due to LaMelo Ball (ankle) being sidelined. Simpson has recorded four starts on the season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 31.8 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Scores 16 points in spot start
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Simpson registered 16 points (7-18 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors.
Simpson drew the start at point guard with LaMelo Ball (ankle), and the rookie responded with his best scoring total of the season. The Colorado product was beginning to see more time before the All-Star break, but Ball's return to action kept him off the floor for five consecutive games. Simpson has only appeared in 22 games, so he is well below his current contract restrictions and should remain with the team until the end of the season.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Starting sans Ball
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Simpson will enter the starting lineup in Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) on the shelf, Simpson will draw his third start of the year. The 22-year-old point guard accumulated 25 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals across 60 total minutes in his previous two starts.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Career-high nine rebounds in loss
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Simpson supplied nine points (3-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday's 97-89 loss to the Nets.
Simpson struggled with his shooting in Monday's loss to the Nets, going 3-for-12 from the field and 0-for-4 from deep. However, he racked up a career-high nine rebounds, four assists and one steal, which salvaged what could've been a forgettable performance for the Hornets.
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Hornets' KJ Simpson: Balanced outing in starting lineup
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Simpson had 10 points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 112-102 loss to the Pistons.
Simpson entered the starting lineup Sunday due to injuries to multiple players, putting forth a balanced performance that included a team-high assist mark in a losing effort. Simpson also reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this season, including in his third straight game.
