After 17 seasons with Spurs, Parker to sign 2year deal with Hornets

LAS VEGAS — Does Tony Parker have enough left at 36 to give the Charlotte Hornets what they need off the bench at point guard?

On the same day the Hornets traded center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets, the Hornets came to terms with another former All-Star in Parker. He has spent all 17 of his NBA seasons in a championship setting with the San Antonio Spurs.

Now Parker and rookie Devonte Graham will back up two-time All-Star Kemba Walker in Charlotte, as the Hornets try to balance getting younger with still looking to qualify for the Eastern Conference playoffs next season.

An NBA source confirmed Parker’s commitment to sign in Charlotte after another Frenchman, Hornets guard Nic Batum, said as much on Twitter. Batum and Parker are close from many summers playing on the French National Team. Parker also has a preexisting relationship with new Hornets coach James Borrego, who served two stints as a Spurs assistant.

Parker will reportedly sign a twoyear, $10 million contract, a portion of the Hornets’ midlevel exception ($8.6 million). Parker’s actual signing might not come until next week.

The Hornets signed Graham Thursday after Howard’s trade became official. He started in the opening game of the Hornets’ summer-league schedule in Las Vegas against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Hornets and Denver Nuggets both expressed interest in Parker and the Spurs were interested in retaining him. Parker spoke to ESPN’s Marc Spears about how emotional it was to tell the Spurs he was leaving.