Adding Wanamaker at Mid-Season Proved to be a Plus for the Hornets

Brad Wanamaker was the lone player that did not begin the 2020-21 season with the Charlotte Hornets. He provided the team with leadership and depth. Wanamaker was able to make big contributions, especially with the assortment of injuries the Hornets had after the All-Star break.

Wanamaker had two previous stops before coming to the Hornets. He spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics and played 39 games with the Golden State Warriors. Not long after LaMelo Ball’s wrist injury in mid-March, Charlotte signed Wanamaker. They also received Toronto’s top-54 protected 2022 second-round pick and cash considerations from the Warriors in exchange for a top-55 protected 2025 second-round pick.

With Charlottes’ backcourt in shambles and the team plagued by injuries, Wanamaker got his opportunity to play in 22 games coming off the bench. He averaged 7 points on 43% from the field, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in 20 minutes per game.

Wanamaker stated, “The unique thing about [the trade] was me just getting a fresh start,” he said during exit interviews. “Obviously, things didn’t go as planned in Golden State for me. I had a lot of ups and downs with the organization, but I’m very appreciative of my opportunity there and [in Charlotte]. Before I came here, I hit up a few of the guys I already knew. It was fun watching these guys [beforehand] and then coming to the team.”

Before Wanamaker was able to make it in the NBA in 2018, he spent seven years playing professionally overseas. He was recognized as a pure point guard who could set up his team’s offense. Wanamaker was an above average defensive player and he could cut down on turnovers. He had a solid game against the Milwaukee Bucks late in the season where he matched his season-high 7 assists. He also had a great game against the Detroit Pistons where he scored a season-high 15 points.

Even though Wanamaker didn’t start the season with the Hornets, he said he was able to fit in right away with the younger players. “Just getting here, the guys were feeding off each other,” he recalled. “The energy the young guys brought to the gym every day for practice, warm-ups or the locker room, it was just fun to be around.”

Now at 31 years of age, Wanamaker is headed to free agency for the second year in a row. Even though he doesn’t know what his NBA future will be, he is happy with his time in Charlotte. “Not every season is going to go how you planned it to be,” he stated. “To get a fresh start and come over here with some energy was great. There are great people in charge and the right young pieces around. It’s going to be interesting to see what they do in the offseason, but the future is definitely bright for the Charlotte Hornets. [It’s time to] just get back to the drawing board, get back in the gym and work on some things that I need to improve on.”