Hornets acquire Dwight Howard from Hawks

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has acquired center Dwight Howard and the 31st overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and the 41st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Howard, the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, holds career averages of 17.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 954 games played.

In his 13 seasons, Howard has earned three NBA Defensive Player of the Year selections, eight All-Star appearances, eight appearances on All-NBA rosters (including five First Team All-NBA selections) and five selections to NBA All-Defensive teams.

Among current active players, Howard ranks first in total rebounds (12,089), offensive rebounds (3,392) and blocked shots (1,916), eighth in free throws made (4,671) and 15th in total points scored (16,652).

Belinelli, who was acquired by Charlotte on July 7, 2016 from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to Malachi Richardson, appeared in 74 games for the Hornets in 2016-17, averaging 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.0 minutes per contest.

Acquired on Feb. 2, 2017 from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert, Plumlee saw action in 13 contests with Charlotte, owning averages of 2.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game.