Former Charlotte Hornets draft pick Amari Bailey has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Nets. The deal will bring last year’s rookie to Brooklyn before the start of training camp.
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Amari Bailey, his agent Kevin Bradbury (@KB_radbury) of @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT told @hoopshype. The 20-year-old guard was the 41st pick of the 2023 NBA Draft and played for the Charlotte Hornets last season. pic.twitter.com/8JxETnrrCN
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 19, 2024
Brooklyn Nets Sign 2023 Charlotte Hornets Draft Pick
Hornets Draft Pick Amari Bailey Moves On
Amari Bailey, last summer’s Charlotte Hornets draft pick, is moving on from his first team to his second. Although the contract is non-guaranteed, it is nonetheless an opportunity for the former UCLA point guard to continue his NBA playing career. Bailey’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, broke the news.
The Hornets’ 41st pick in the 2023 draft didn’t see much playing time in his rookie campaign as he was on a two-way deal. In the ten games he laced up for the Hornets, he shot 33.3% from the field, averaging only 2.3 points per game. When not playing games for the Hornets, Bailey contributed to Charlotte’s G League squad, the Greensboro Swarm. Bailey’s numbers were more of a standout with the Swarm, averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He also logged just under minutes per outing.
Bailey participated in the G League’s Showcase Cup, the league’s annual in-season scouting event. The event hosts managers and player personnel from the NBA’s 30 franchises to watch the G League teams square off.
Bailey’s Time at UCLA
Like so many players today, Amari Bailey was a one-and-done college talent who became an immediate NBA draft pick. During his 2022-23 NCAA freshman season, Bailey played 30 games for the Bruins, starting in 28. His numbers were respectable—11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 26.9 minutes per game. His three-point shooting was a highlight, shooting just under 40%. Additionally, Bailey was honored as one of five student-athletes to be selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and won Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors four times.
The former Hornets draft pick also helped lead UCLA to the NCAA Tournament, where the Bruins played three games. Bailey was lights out from three in those games, posting a 66.7% average. His scoring, rebounds, and assists were also up from his regular season stats—16.7, 4.3, 4.0.
Try Again in Brooklyn
Considering that Bailey’s agreement with Brooklyn is limited to an Exhibit 10 contract (a one-year non-guaranteed training camp deal), he has no guarantee of a long-term future with the Nets as of now. What he does have is an opportunity to showcase himself to the Nets organization. A two-way contract conversion could also be in play for the 2023 Hornets draft pick as the new season inches closer, considering the Nets have two open two-way slots that are unrepresented at this time.
Amari Bailey is not the lone player to reach an Exhibit 10 contract with Brooklyn this summer. The trio of KJ Jones, Mark Armstrong, and Killian Hayes all recently signed similar deals. Amari Bailey, along with his three counterparts, are players hunting for opportunities to latch onto an NBA team via Exhibit 10 scenarios. In Bailey’s case, he has been afforded another shot. Hopefully, for his sake and his NBA career, the Nets see something in the former Hornets draft pick that gives them a reason to extend the deal.
