Hornets agree to 10-day deal with former Bucks center

The Hornets are set to sign big man Marques Bolden to a 10-day contract, agent Michael Johnson Jr. tells Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Bolden, 25, has past NBA experience with the Cavaliers and was on a two-way contract with the Bucks earlier this season. However, he only appeared briefly in two games with the Bucks before being waived on Jan. 7 and his full-season salary could become guaranteed.

Bolden has spent most of the season in the G League playing for the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s affiliate. In 31 Showcase Cup and regular-season contests, he has averaged 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.0 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .554/.404/.743.

As Charania observes, the center has played some of his best basketball of the season as of late, averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds during the Herd’s current six-game winning streak, with double-doubles in all six of those victories.

Bolden will provide some depth in a frontcourt that has been impacted by Mark Williams‘ lengthy absence due to a back injury. 

Nick Richards has been starting in Williams’ place, but the Hornets don’t have a ton of options at the five beyond that, especially with P.J. Washington no longer around to occasionally act as a small-ball center. That means there could be a path for Bolden to earn playing time.

No roster move will be necessary for the Hornets, who have been carrying 14 players since buying out Kyle Lowry last week.