The Charlotte Hornets exercised team options on LaMelo Ball, James Bouknight, and Kai Jones.

Currently in his third season, Ball is averaging 18.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.4 rebounds through his first 126 games.

Bouknight and Jones are both in their second season with the team. Bouknight has appeared in 35 games, with Jones playing in 23 games. 

The interest the Charlotte Hornets previously had in acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Los Angeles Lakers was rooted in unloading long-term salary with the expectation they would sign Miles Bridges to a major contract, sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

Bridges remains unsigned following his domestic violence arrest that occurred on the eve of the offseason. Due to the serious nature of the charges, Bridges' entire future in the NBA is in serious question.

Charlotte was expected to consider taking on Westbrook for Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward.

James Bouknight was found intoxicated and unconscious and holding a gun with his vehicle in drive before he was arrested Sunday morning on DWI charges.

Police said they responded to reports that a person was passed out in his vehicle in a Charlotte parking lot Sunday morning, blocking traffic.

According to the police report, officers saw Bouknight, 22, unconscious inside the vehicle with the vehicle running and in drive. He had the handgun in his hands. Officers set up a perimeter and attempted to awaken Bouknight for approximately an hour using a public address system, blasting airhorns and using lights.

Once Bouknight was awake, police say he refused to comply with commands and appeared confused for several minutes. They said he ate food inside his vehicle and then crashed into two police cars -- one of front of him and another behind him.

Bouknight eventually exited the vehicle and was detained.

"I just want to apologize for being a distraction before the start of the season for my teammates and what we've got going on," Bouknight said Tuesday. "It's disappointing, but I'm just trying to learn from it, stay strong, move on and continue to grow."

James Bouknight was arrested on Sunday morning and charged with driving while impaired in Charlotte.

Bouknight's bond was set at $2500.

The 22-year-old practiced on Monday but did not speak to reporters.

"We are just gathering information right now. Until we know more definitely on what happened I can't comment on that," said Steve Clifford after Monday's practice.

Bouknight averaged 4.6 points in 31 games last season as a rookie. 

Cam Johnson, P.J. Washington and Grant Williams were unable to agree to extensions with their respective teams and will become restricted free agents next offseason.

Johnson has emerged as the Phoenix Suns' starting power forward this season.

Washington averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 65 games (28 starts) last season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Williams became a key part of the Boston Celtics' rotation and figures to have a bigger role with Robert Williams out.

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to sign Theo Maledon to a Two-Way contract.

Maledon appeared in 51 games last season, averaging 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 17.8 minutes. 

LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and is expected to miss the start of the regular season.

Ball and the Charlotte Hornets are relieved the injury isn't worse.

Ball's return will be based on how his rehabilitation and treatment progress over the coming weeks.

LaMelo Ball left the Charlotte Hornets' preseason game against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter due to a sprained ankle. 

Ball, who was inadvertently stepped on by the Wizards' Anthony Gill, did not return to the game.

"Fingers crossed that it is not something serious," said Steve Clifford following the preseason loss.

Ball will undergo more tests on Tuesday. 

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/unders for the Eastern Conference.

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The Charlotte Hornets waived big man Isaiah Whaley. The Hornets have also signed wing Xavier Sneed.

Whaley appeared in one preseason game for Charlotte. He grabbed one rebound in four minutes of play. Whaley is expected to join the Greensboro Swarm of the G League this season.

Sneed appeared in nine NBA games last season between the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz. The 6-foot-5 wing finished the season with Utah on a Two-Way contract. Prior to joining the Jazz, Sneed had played a season-plus for the Swarm in the G League.