Marcus Garrett of the Greensboro Swarm drives to the basket during the game against the College Park Skyhawks (Image Source – Getty Images) Marcus Garrett has returned to the Charlotte Hornets, signing a training camp contract that could provide him with another opportunity for NBA playing time. The Hornets acted fast to create space by releasing forward Brandon Slater. With Garrett’s previous experience in both the NBA and G League, this decision indicates Charlotte’s intention to combine player development with enhancing their roster depth.
Marcus Garrett joins the Charlotte Hornets
The public relations team of the Charlotte Hornets shared the news about the transaction on their official X account, mentioning: “OFFICIAL: @hornets have signed guard Marcus Garrett and waived forward Brandon Slater.”.Marcus Garrett is a 25-year-old guard who went undrafted from Kansas in 2021 and also has inked a training camp deal with the Hornets. The official announcement didn’t reveal the specifics of the contract, but it’s believed to be an Exhibit 10 deal. These types of contracts let players snag a bonus of up to $85,300 if they’re waived before the regular season, provided they spend at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate.Garrett has previous ties to the Hornets organization. In March 2025, he signed a 10-day hardship contract with the team. During that time, he participated in four regular-season NBA games, averaging 7.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 19.8 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 40.7% from the field and 37.5% from three-point territory.
Garrett played 12 games as a rookie before spending most of his time in the G League
Garrett launched his NBA career on a two-way contract with the Miami Heat during his rookie year in the 2021-22 season, participating in 12 games. Since then, he has mostly been active in the G League, particularly over the last two seasons with the Greensboro Swarm, which is affiliated with the Hornets.During the 2024-25 G League season, Garrett played in 42 games, putting up an average of 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 29.7 minutes. His shooting stats were 45.1% from the field, 29.8% from beyond the arc, and 70.5% at the free-throw line. He’s known for his strong defensive abilities.
Charlotte Hornets waive forward Brandon Slater to make room for Marcus Garrett
In order to make room for Garrett, the Hornets let go of forward Brandon Slater. Slater was signed by the Hornets on September 20, 2025, which also included the release of forward Keyontae Johnson, according to Charlotte Observer writer Rod Boone on X, “More roster work: #Hornets have signed forward Brandon Slater and released Keyontae Johnson.” Slater’s stint with the team was short, as he played abroad during the 2024-25 season before coming to Charlotte.These changes are part of the Hornets’ continuous efforts to refine their roster ahead of training camp. NBA teams can have up to 21 players during training camp, and this signing fills Charlotte’s quota.These actions align with a trend of recent moves, such as signing and swiftly releasing players like Slater and Johnson, to assess talent and create chances in the G League.Also Read: Luka Doncic reveals his retirement dream that takes him all the way back to Real MadridGarrett’s experience with the Swarm makes him a strong candidate for a potential affiliate assignment if he gets waived.