2022 First Round Pick Gets Golden Opportunity In Perhaps His Final Chance In NBA

Wendell Moore Jr. once again has found himself with an NBA team. Moore, the No. 26 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, is now on a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

2022 NBA First Round Pick Keeps Getting NBA Chances

Charlotte is Moore’s third team in three seasons and second this season. The 23-year-old was traded by Minnesota to Detroit this summer. The Pistons waived the 23-year-old guard at the trade deadline after acquiring Dennis Schroder.

Moore appeared in 20 games for the Pistons before getting waived at the trade deadline. He averaged 3.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in 11 minutes a contest. He scored in double-figures once while producing shooting splits of 46/28.6/92.9.

So why does Moore keep getting chances?

It has a lot to do with his physical attributes and potential. Moore is an athletic wing with good size at 6 feet 5 inches, known for his versatility. He can do many little things, with rebounding and defense being his specialty. He is also a good ball-handler who doesn’t turn the ball over. More importantly, he can guard four positions—everything but the five.

Moore likes to get out in transition and into the lane and is a good finisher around the rim. However, he isn’t a shot-creator and still has some work on his jumper. He averages 1.7 points in 74 career NBA games and has shooting splits of 45/16.2/92.7.

Moore has shown the ability to knock down the 3-ball in the G-League and his junior year of college at Duke. A late bloomer, Moore was named the nation’s best small forward and earned first-team all-ACC Defensive team honors in 2022.

Why Charlotte?

So why did the Hornets sign Moore? Charlotte is looking to find diamonds in the rough, and Moore is a hometown kid.

Charlotte is tied for the second-worst record in the NBA with Utah and New Orleans at 13-39. The Hornets are just 5-13 over their last 18, losing 11 of 13 before the all-star break.

Moore should get a very long look. The Hornets are shorthanded, with three players out for the remainder of the season. LaMelo Ball has missed 19 games, and Josh Okogie is also currently out, though it is possible that he could return shortly after the all-star break.

Moore joins Damion Baugh and KJ Simpson as players on two-way contracts. Overall, the Hornets have 19 players, with 16 on standard deals. Elfrid Payton is on a 10-day contract as the Hornets were given a hardship waiver for their injuries, which expires tomorrow. However, the league could extend it, given Charlotte’s extensive injuries.

Charlotte had an open two-way roster spot after waiving Isaiah Wong on February 13. Wong, the No. 55 pick in 2023, averaged a career-high six points a game, though he shot just 39% from the field and hasn’t demonstrated much of a three-point threat as he remains more of a slasher. The 24-year-old grabbed 1.6 rebounds and doled out 1.4 assists in 14 minutes over 20 appearances. He scored in double figures three times.

Wong is a scorer and should get at least another shot at another two-way spot next season, if not after this year. A 2024 Next Up participant, Wong played well in the G-League this year, putting up 20 points a game while hitting 1.9 treys at a 41% clip.