National Basketball Association

Hornets sign first-rounder Hairston to multi-year contract

Published Aug. 22, 2014 3:02 p.m. ET

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The new Charlotte Hornets signed North Carolina product P.J. Hairston on Friday -- the franchise's second first-rounder from the June draft.

Hairston, an NBA D-leaguer last season after leaving the UNC program who was taken at No. 26 overall by the Miami Heat, was acquired, via trade -- along with rookie guard Semaj Christon -- for the rights to UConn guard Shabazz Napier.

Hairston, a 6-foot-6 small forward who averaged 21.8 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Texas Legends, became the first NBA D-League player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

With Hairston in the fold, along with high first-round pick Noah Vonleh, the Hornets can now focus on training camp in September and improving upon last year's playoff standing -- with Charlotte earning the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference (eventually falling to Miami in four games).