October 13, 2018 – Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has exercised the two-way player conversion option on guard Joe Chealey. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Additionally, the team announced it has waived forward Zach Smith.
Chealey, a College of Charleston product, was originally signed by the Hornets on July 27 as an undrafted free agent. He has appeared in three preseason contests with Charlotte and has averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 assists per game. The 6-3 guard participated in the 2018 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League with the Hornets.