Charlotte Hornets extend qualifying offer to Troy Daniels

The Charlotte Hornets have extended a qualifying offer to guard Troy Daniels, who will become a restricted free agent on July 1. The qualifying offer is worth $1.2 million. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer first reported the move.

Daniels came to the Hornets midway through the 2014-15 season in the trade that sent an unhappy Gary Neal to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Mo Williams. Since then, Daniels has appeared in 54 games averaging 11.3 minutes per game.

The move isn't surprising. Daniels is a reliable shooter on a team that desperately needs them, and is relatively cheap compared to other options on the open market. He even overtook Jeremy Lamb in the Hornets' rotation late in the season, an indication that head coach Steve Clifford trusts him to play within his system. The acquisition of Marco Belinelli might make it difficult to crack the rotation next season, but at just 24 years old, Daniels has plenty of time to bide his time and fill in as needed.

However, a qualifying offer doesn't mean Daniels is a Hornet next year. It simply gives the team the option to match any offer he receives this summer. And it's likely he receives multiple offers this summer.

The Hornets will need to make a decision as to how much they're willing to spend to keep him. Still, it's good to know they're interested in him, and that the team feels comfortable enough with its cap situation to not renounce his rights.