Nicolas Batum enjoyed the best statistical season of his career with Charlotte last year and will run it back after signing a 5-year, $120 million deal. Batum averaged career-highs in points (14.9) and assists (5.8) as he helped Charlotte win 48 games and get back to the Playoffs for the first time since 2014.
We got a deal! #BuzzCity 🐝
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) July 1, 2016
Shams Charania of The Vertical had the report:
Free-agent forward Nicolas Batum has agreed to a five-year, $120 million deal to re-sign with the Charlotte Hornets, league sources told The Vertical.
Batum will have a player option in the fifth year of the contract, sources told The Vertical.
Batum and his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, had a lengthy meeting early Friday with the Hornets to finalize the deal.
Batum, 27, averaged 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 70 games for the Hornets last season.
Batum was the franchise’s primary priority this offseason, and team executives traveled to Dallas to meet him and his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, once free agency began. Batum gives coach Steve Clifford stability on the wing and was one of the best two-way players on the market.
Keep up with the latest signings during the July free-agency period by following our 2016 NBA Free Agent Tracker.
