Tyler Hansbrough played the last two seasons with the Toronto Raptors, and played a very inconsistent role with them. Last season, there were times where he’d start, and then other times where he wouldn’t see a minute of action. Despite the lack of consistency in his minutes, Hansbrough continued working hard and was prepared to take the court whenever his number was called up.

Heading into this offseason, Hansbrough was looking to join a playoff contending team where he could have some sort of a consistent role. The Charlotte Hornets agreed to sign him, and it will end up being one of the most underrated signings of the NBA Free Agency period if the two sides live up to the potential that they have with each other.

The Hornets have come to terms with Tyler Hsnsbrough,

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 22, 2015

During the 2014-15 season with the Raptors, Hansbrough played in 74 games and started in eight of those appearances. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game overall, but those numbers skyrocketed when he was in the starting lineup. As a starter, Hansbrough put up 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game when he was playing the forward position.

Those numbers may not look huge, but he is capable of producing when he gets consistent minutes. Coming off of the Hornets bench, Hansbrough will work his way into a very consistent role where he will be asked to score at a high level and rebound like a monster. He is more than capable of doing both of those things, and it will get him back into the comfort zone that he lost when he left the Indiana Pacers.

Signing with Charlotte is a homecoming for Hansbrough as well. He played his collegiate basketball career with the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the Hornets and their fans have always wanted to have him back in the state.

Needless to say, he is going to be welcomed back with open arms and will have a lot of the same fans from his Tar Heel days back in the stands watching him and rooting him on once again. That in and of itself made signing with the Hornets an easy decision for Hansbrough.

Looking at the projected starting front-court, the Hornets are going to have both Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller in the lineup. There is a chance that Spencer Hawes will work his way into the starting lineup, but more than likely the Hornets will use him off the bench. Frank Kaminsky is going to be the primary backup center, which will force Hansbrough to compete with Hawes for minutes.

It isn’t going to be easy for him to beat out Hawes for minutes, but there is no question that he brings something to the table that the Hornets will need in 2015-16.

Energy and hustle is something that Hawes most definitely does not have. Charlotte has a need for Hawes’ shooting, but they have just as much of a need for Hansbrough’s tenacity on the court. That is how Hansbrough will earn his role, and it will be interesting to see how head coach Steve Clifford builds his bench rotation.

All of that being said, Hansbrough was a very nice pickup for the Hornets that has a very good chance to be one a big piece for his new team. He will have to work hard for his minutes, but he hasn’t had a problem with that throughout his entire career to this point.

Evan Massey is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.