NBA Notes: Hornets, Drew Peterson, Clippers, Brook Lopez, Warriors

Hornets

The Hornets have signed big man Drew Peterson to a two-way contract, per Shams Charania of ESPN. 

Peterson spent each of the past two seasons with the Celtics, winning an NBA championship in 2024. He has spent much of his time with the Maine Celtics of the G League, so joining the Hornets on a two-way deal will be familiar territory for him.

In Charlotte, Peterson reunites with head coach Charles Lee, a Boston assistant during Peterson’s first season there. 

Peterson is 6-foot-8 and while he’s appeared in just 25 total NBA games, he’s fared well in the G League, with averages of 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for Maine last season, shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. 

Peterson will be eligible for 50 NBA games provided he remains on a two-way contract for all of next season.

Clippers

Newcomer Brook Lopez says he’s confident he’ll be able to contribute in many ways for the Clippers.

“I’m capable of a lot of stuff,” Lopez told reporters. “Obviously, I’m comfortable spreading the floor. I’m comfortable being in the post. I love defending, I love being anchor on defense.”

Lopez will share the center spot with Ivica Zubac, suggesting that the two could even play together at times.

“Bottom line, I just want to help the team win,” he said. “Whatever they need me to do, whatever they see fit for my role, I’m going to be working as hard as possible to be great at that.”

Warriors

Former NBA guard Baron Davis says the Warriors must get contributions from a younger player to move back into true title contention.

“You wish Klay [Thompson] was part of that, but having Jimmy [Butler] gives them a shot at the Western Conference title,” Davis said on the Paul George podcast. “Now it’s just a matter of what young talent… can become that X factor.”

Davis specifically mentioned Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski as possible candidates to fill that “X factor” role.