Charlotte Hornets Sign Guard-Forward Damien Wilkins to Add Depth

In an effort to add depth to their team, the Charlotte Hornets signed guard-forward Damien Wilkins last week.

The Charlotte Observer said the acquisition came because of the "depth concern" of the team after small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist underwent a shoulder surgery due to a torn labrum. He is reportedly expected to miss the entire season because of the injury.

Getting Wilkins would help the team with its performance since he has an average of 6.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in his entire NBA career. He has played for various teams in the league, including the Atlanta Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers.

In addition, ESPN said the guard-forward can also "bring experience and leadership to the Hornets roster."

Wilkins said in a recent Kentucky report that competing for a spot on a team is not anymore new to him.

"I've been here before. The more experience you get with it... I don't want to say it gets easier, but you learn how to deal with it mentally a little bit better," he added.

The forward also noted that there are certainly things that he cannot control in the league.

In an interview in a separate Charlotte Observer report, Wilkins said he waited for two years before a team in the NBA signed him again.

Asked about the shoes he needs to fill, the forward noted that he will not attempt to be Kidd-Gilchrist.

"I'm not going to come in and try to be MKG. There is only one him - that's why he makes the big bucks. I've just got to be myself and provide some leadership and experience; make plays on both ends of the floor," Wilkins noted.

The player also said that he considered it an honor and a marketing platform when he was invited to join Team USA, which will play for the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

"I can't speak for how anyone else would feel about it, but to go there and wear a Team USA jersey was an amazing experience. I was able to further display what I'm capable of doing at a high level of basketball; for people to see that I'm still in shape and still able to play at a high level. They had representatives from Charlotte there and other teams were there. Maybe that was one of the reasons they said, 'Hey, give him a call,'" he added.

On Monday, the Hornets did another thing right after they won another preseason game versus the Chicago Bulls in a 94-86 victory.