In wake of the news just a few days ago that the NBA is officially returning, Charlotte Hornets’ General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced in the team’s end-of-season press conference that Hornets guard and former UK sharpshooter Malik Monk has been reinstated by the NBA. Monk was suspended in February without pay for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
ESPN’s Malika Andrews broke the news on Twitter early Monday morning during the Hornets end-of-season press conference:
Speaking at an end of season press conference, Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak says Malik Monk — who was suspended in February for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy — was reinstated during the hiatus.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) June 8, 2020
Monk was averaging 10.3 points per game for Charlotte this season before being suspended, but will have to wait until next season to build off the progress he was making with the Hornets. Charlotte did not qualify to play in Orlando where the NBA plans to finish its season which was cut off by Covid-19, so the Hornets will go straight into the offseason.