Al Jefferson to undergo arthroscopic surgery on right knee, out 6 weeks

Charlotte Hornets big man Al Jefferson will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday to address a tear of his lateral meniscus, the team announced Wednesday.

His recovery time is set at approximately six weeks.

Jefferson has already missed 11 outings this season, including five for a suspension he incurred for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. A strained left calf also forced the 12-year veteran to the sidelines for a stretch of games.

Charlotte is 5-6 when Jefferson doesn't suit up, with Cody Zeller, Spencer Hawes, and rookie Frank Kaminsky all expected to see increased roles during his upcoming absence.

While still productive, the Hornets have relied on Jefferson less and less as they've moved toward a more perimeter-oriented offense, with the 30-year-old's usage rate of 23.9 the lowest of his three-year run with the franchise.

This injury can only hurt his chances of landing a big contract next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He's averaging 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds on 48.2 percent shooting for 17-13 Hornets.