CHARLOTTE — The Hornets waived former No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and 15-year NBA veteran Marvin Williams on Saturday.
The 6-foot-6 Kidd-Gilchrist was selected behind Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis in the 2012 draft, but he found himself out of Charlotte’s rotation this season under coach James Borrego. He has played in only 12 games, averaging four points.
The 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist holds career averages of 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.1 minutes per game during his eight seasons in Charlotte.
However, Kidd-Gilchrist struggled with his shooting despite efforts to improve his form. He shot 47.5% from the field during his career and 28% from 3-point range.
The Hornets finished 7-59 in the 2011-12 season but wound up with the second pick in the lottery. That allowed the New Orleans Pelicans to draft Davis, a perennial All-Star, with the first pick, which proved to be a devastating blow to the development of the Hornets’ franchise.
The 6-foot-8 Williams averaged 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 27.1 minutes per game since joining the Hornets in 2014.
Williams was originally drafted No. 2 overall in 2005 by the Atlanta Hawks after playing one season at North Carolina.
His 429 games played ranks sixth in Charlotte, his 681 3-point field goals made ranks third and his 2,293 total rebounds rank eighth on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard.
Williams has played in 41 games this season for the Hornets mostly in a reserve role, averaging 6.7 points per game in 19.7 minutes.
Curry returns home, scores 26 as Mavs rout Hornets
Seth Curry scored 26 points in his return to Charlotte, and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 116-100 victory over the Hornets on Saturday night.
Curry made his first 10 shots from the field, including six 3-pointers to help the Mavericks snap a two-game losing streak.
Willie Cauley-Stein added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who played without Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Doncic missed his sixth straight game with a right ankle sprain, while Porzingis rested a sore left knee.
Devonte Graham had 16 points and 10 assists for the struggling Hornets, who have lost 13 of their last 14 games.
This one was never close.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 31-10 lead in the first quarter behind 12 points from Curry and led by as many as 31 in the second half.
Curry’s older brother, Stephen, has had some big-time performances in Charlotte, where the boys grew up and went to high school. But this was the first big showing for the younger Curry in a homecoming game.
Tip-Ins
Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr. had 14 points. … Bench outscored Charlotte’s bench 54-27. … Outrebounded the Hornets 46-39.
Hornets: Malik Monk had two high-flying dunks for the Hornets. … New Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady sat courtside. … A fan from South Carolina named Lawrence Thomas made a halfcourt shot at the end of the third quarter to win $10,000, drawing applause and smiles from both teams.
Up Next
Mavericks: Host Jazz on Monday night.
Hornets: Visit the Pistons on Monday night.
