Hornets Reach Agreement to Keep Batum in Charlotte 

With multiple stars anticipating a new start during the NBA free agency, one player the Charlotte Hornets will not have to worry about leaving anytime soon is forward Nicolas Batum. 

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Batum has resigned for a deal worth 5 years and $120 million. Batum took to Twitter by stating “We got a deal #BuzzCity”. 

Another team that was in the mix reportedly for Batum happened to be the Dallas Mavericks. According to sources, the franchise was planning on offering Batum a contract of 4 years and $114 million.

The max contract that Batum could have received would have been up to $150 million, but he decided to take a home town discount. This bargain will potentially allow the Hornets to add a bench player or keep another free agent that they have. 

Last season, Batum had a career-high 14.9 points per game, along with 5.8 assists and 6.1 rebounds a game. 

Now that the Hornets have signed Batum to a long term deal, their main focus going forward will be to resign center Al Jefferson, who was also a big part of the franchise in 2015.