The Hornets, who will start training camp this coming Tuesday in Ashville, NC, will be without forward Jeff Taylor who has been banned from team activities after he was arrested for domestic assault earlier this week.
“We have informed Jeffery Taylor that effective immediately he will not be participating in any team-related activities while the NBA is investigating his conduct in this matter,” the team said in a statement. “As an organization, we understand and appreciate the seriousness of this matter, and will assist the NBA and law enforcement in any way we can until this comes to an acceptable resolution. We have spoken with Jeffery and his representatives and they fully understand our position.”
Taylor has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and malicious destruction of a building after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and a male hotel employee at a Marriot in East Lansing, Michigan.
These days with the dark cloud of the Ray Rice debacle still looming, despite the fact that you’re innocent until proven guilty, teams are not waiting for the legal process to take its course before suspending players who have been accused of domestic abuse.
Taylor, who reportedly will be paid while on leave, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $5,000 bond.